International Journal of Nursing Research

Objective To analyze the effect of combining traditional Chinese medicine breathing exercises and fire dragon cupping in the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Methods From January 2024 to December 2024, 80 COPD patients were treated in our hospital. The experimental group received traditional Chinese medicine breathing exercises and fire dragon cupping therapy, while the control group received conventional treatment. The 6-minute walking distance and other indicators were compared. Results Regarding the 6-minute walking distance: after treatment, the experimental group reached (379.14 ± 27.92) m, while the control group was only (331.58 ± 25.04) m, with a significant difference (P < 0.05). The total effective rate: the experimental group was 97.5%, and the control group was 80.0%, P < 0.05. The scores of each dimension of the SF-36 scale in the experimental group were significantly higher than those in the control group after treatment (P < 0.05). Conclusion The combination of traditional Chinese medicine breathing exercises and fire dragon cupping therapy for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease has a significant effect, with better improvement in 6-minute walking distance and higher quality of life.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; Breathing exercises; Therapeutic effect; Fire dragon cupping