Effectiveness and Safety of Thread-Embedding Acupuncture in Improving Functional Capacity and Quality of Life in Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if thread-embedding acupuncture (TEA) can improve functional capacity and quality of life of chronic pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Does TEA, when combined with standard treatment, improve functional capacity measured by the six-minute walking test (6MWT) and the modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) scale at 1, 2, and 3 months after the intervention? * Does TEA, when combined with standard treatment, improve quality of life as measured by the COPD Assessment Test (CAT) and the St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) at 1, 2, and 3 months after intervention? Researchers will compare TEA to sham TEA (a placebo procedure without thread implantation) to determine if TEA leads to meaningful improvements in COPD patients. Participants will: * Complete assessment using 6MWT, mMRC, CAT, and SGRQ * Receive one session of either TEA or sham TEA * Return to the clinic once a month for follow-up assessments over a 3-month period
• Male or female participants aged 18 to 70 years.
• Body Mass Index (BMI) ≥18.5 kg/m².
• Diagnosed with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) based on GOLD criteria.
• Willing to participate in the study until completion and has signed informed consent.