Acupuncture Combined with Aerobic Exercise for Cardiopulmonary Function Improvement in Patients with Chronic Coronary Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)

Abstract

Introduction: This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of combining power bicycle aerobic training with acupuncture in patients with chronic coronary syndrome (CCS). Methods: In this single-center randomized trial, 100 patients with stable CCS [New York Heart Association (NYHA) I–II, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≥40%] were allocated to an observation group (power bicycle training plus acupuncture, n = 50) or a control group (power bicycle training alone, n = 50). Both received guideline-directed medical therapy. The intervention comprised three 3-week treatment cycles with 2-week washout periods. Outcomes included LVEF, peak oxygen uptake (VO₂ peak), anaerobic threshold (AT), peak power (PP), 6 min walk distance (6MWD), and Barthel index, assessed at baseline and posttreatment. The combined intervention group demonstrated significantly greater mean improvements from baseline to posttreatment in LVEF (4.73% vs. 1.88%) and 6MWD (88.32 m vs. 73.12 m) compared with the control group. Safety and needling sensation tolerability were monitored. Results: The observation group demonstrated significantly greater improvements in LVEF (62.19 ± 5.01% vs. 59.06 ± 4.77%, P = 0.002) and 6MWD (380.76 ± 13.42 m vs. 367.98 ± 10.65 m, P < 0.001) compared with controls. Superior gains in VO₂ peak, PP, and AT were also observed (all P < 0.05). No serious adverse events occurred, and visual analog scale scores for needling sensation remained low and stable. Conclusion: Power bicycle training combined with acupuncture significantly improves cardiopulmonary function and exercise tolerance in stable CCS patients, with excellent safety and tolerability. Acupuncture may serve as a beneficial adjunct to conventional aerobic exercise in cardiac rehabilitation.