The paper reviewed the relevant studies on dyspnea treated with acupuncture over the past 20 years, as well as the underlying neuroendocrine mechanism from the perspective of central and peripheral vagus nerves, neurotransmitter, respiratory muscle function and anti-depression-anxiety function. It revealed that the central response area was regulated by acupuncture in treatment of dyspnea, which is similar to the area affected in acupuncture analgesia. Additionally, acupuncture generates its therapeutic effects on dyspnea through promoting the release of endogenous opioid peptides and the regulation of autonomic nerve, amygdale and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis.
本文对近20年针刺治疗呼吸困难的相关研究及可能的神经内分泌机制从中枢和外周迷走神经、神经递质、呼吸肌功能和抗抑郁焦虑作用等方面进行综述。研究显示针刺调控呼吸困难的中枢响应区域与针刺镇痛影响的区域相似，而针刺可通过促进内源性阿片肽类物质的释放，以及对自主神经、杏仁核、下丘脑-垂体-肾上腺轴的调节而产生治疗作用。.
Keywords: Acupuncture; Dyspnea; Neuroendocrine mechanism; β-endorphin.