Study on the Mechanism of Yifei Moxibustion Improving Immune Function in COPD Based on Plasma Exosome miRNAs

The conventional Western medicine treatment is based on the 2023 Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) and the 2021 Chinese Thoracic Society guidelines for the diagnosis and management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Bronchodilators, inhaled corticosteroids, or a combination therapy are administered.The Yifei moxibustion is applied from the Dazhui to Yaoshu acupoints along the Governor Vessel. Ginger juice is spread over the treatment area, followed by sprinkling moxa powder and covering with mulberry bark paper. A 2.5 cm thick layer of ginger paste and a 3 cm thick layer of moxa wool are then placed on the mulberry bark paper. The moxa wool is ignited and allowed to burn out naturally, being replaced every 30 minutes. After 90 minutes, the ginger paste is removed. The treatment is performed once every 15 days, with 6 sessions constituting one course of treatment, totaling 3 months.

The conventional Western medicine treatment is based on the 2023 Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) and the 2021 Chinese Thoracic Society guidelines for the diagnosis and management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Bronchodilators, inhaled corticosteroids, or a combination therapy are administered.

The conventional Western medicine treatment followes the same protocol as described above. The diagnosis of TCM pattern-based therapy is made in accordance with the TCM Syndrome Diagnostic Criteria for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease issued by the Pulmonary Disease Committee of the Internal Medicine Branch, China Association of Chinese Medicine and the treatment is based on the 2019 Guidelines for Diagnosis and Treatment of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease issued by the China Association of Chinese Medicine.