Presentation summary

Introduction :
In Taiwan, integrated Chinese and Western medicine is well-established. In 2021, a specialized dyspneaprogram enabled medical centers to incorporate TCM into ICUs and post-acute respiratory care to aidventilator weaning. This study evaluates the effects of acupuncture to develop an integrated TCM care modelfor intubated acute respiratory failure patients.

Method :
Baseline data from January–March 2024 were used to record ventilator and ICU days. From September–December 2024, the effects of acupuncture on ventilator duration, ICU stay, and gastrointestinal, psychiatric, and neurological complications were assessed. Patients transferred to respiratory care centers or who died before extubation were excluded.

Results :
Baseline mean ventilator duration was 10.8 days, and ICU stay was 12.3 days. Among 17 patients, 10 metinclusion criteria. Their mean ventilator duration was 7.9 ± 4.33 days (95% CI: 4.80–11.00), and mean ICU staywas 9.7 ± 4.42 days (95% CI: 6.54–12.86). Sleep monitoring showed an average of 6.05 ± 1.42 hours (95% CI:5.03–7.07), with a 0.5–1 hour increase in deep sleep on and after acupuncture days. No significant changes ingastrointestinal discomfort were observed, but delirium incidence decreased from 56% to 10%.

Conclusion :
Integrating TCM adjunctive therapies in ICUs shows potential benefits. Our study found that acupuncture significantly reduced delirium incidence and shortened mechanical ventilation duration. Larger randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm these findings.