Acupuncture helps postoperative atrial fibrillation, according to the authors of an American feasibility study. In a randomised clinical trial, 138 patients undergoing cardiac surgical procedures such as coronary bypass, valve operations etc, were randomly assigned to receive either standard care or standard care with acupuncture. Up to three 30 minute acupuncture treatments were offered, at a rate of one per day. Patients were assessed for anxiety, pain and tension before and after acupuncture, and for heart rate and blood pressure. A “Was It Worth It” questionnaire was also completed by patients undergoing acupuncture.
Although the POAF recurrence rate was not statistically different between the two groups, the POAF burden was significantly shorter in acupuncture patients (5.2 versus 26.4 hours). Acupuncture was also associated with decreased anxiety (4.5 to 1.5), pain (3.5 to 2.0), tension (4.0 to 2.0), diastolic blood pressure (74.5 to 69.5mm/hg) and heart rate (74.5 to 72.5bpm). Furthermore, 95% of acupuncture patients stated it was worth participating. The researchers conclude that acupuncture is feasible and safe, and significantly reduces POAF burden among other things. It also meets with patient satisfaction.
(Acupuncture Treatment For Atrial Fibrillation in the Post-Operative Cardio-Thoracic Setting- A Feasibility Pilot Study. Journal of the American College of Cardiology, May 2021.)
Research in China suggests acupuncture improves exercise capacity in patients with COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). A total of 102 patients with stable COPD were randomly allocated to receive either routine treatment plus acupuncture, or routine treatment alone. Acupuncture was given three times a week for six weeks. 
‘Does acupuncture help with COPD?’ was the question asked by authors of a collaborative systematic review by universities in Barcelona and Beijing. Their analysis of data from 28 randomised trials showed that acupuncture added into patients’ usual treatment, improved difficulty breathing, quality of life, lung function and capacity for exercise, all when compared to sham treatment. The authors conclude that acupuncture might be beneficial for COPD, although the quality of trials was low and they would like to see further, well-designed studies undertaken.
Researchers in the Department of Respiratory Medicine at a Japanese hospital, studying acupuncture for COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), have shown treatment is associated with improved exercise performance parameters. In the trial, 16 patients with COPD received acupuncture once a week for 12 weeks, in addition to any usual medication. The effects of treatment were evaluated at baseline and at 12, 16, and 24 weeks. 
A French pilot study suggests that preoperative acupuncture administered to the ear, reduces the dose of drugs needed to achieve subsequent general anaesthesia. A total of 32 patients aged 18 to 65 awaiting elective digestive or gynaecological surgery, were allocated to receive either acupuncture or no acupuncture as a control group. Needles were retained for 20 minutes before administering conventional anaesthetics. The required dose was 18% lower in the acupuncture group. The study authors believe acupuncture may exert its effects in this case via the vagus nerve and parasympathetic nervous system.