BACKGROUND: This is the first part of a larger spectrum systematic review which aims to identify and evaluates the effectiveness of all different non-pharmacological acupuncture techniques used for COPD. In this first publication, we describe the results of filiform needle acupuncture. METHODS: Randomised controlled trials up to May 2019 were searched in 11 databases. Data extraction and risk of bias assessment was conducted in pairs independently. RevMan 5.3 was used for the meta-analysis. RESULTS: 28 trials using filiform needle alone or in combination of other techniques were included. Compared with no acupuncture, no difference was seen for dyspnoea, but statistical benefits were found on quality of life (Std. MD -0.62, 95%CI -0.90 to -0.34), exercise capacity (stable subgroup) (6MWT MD 33.05m, 95%CI 19.11 to 46.99) and lung function (FEV1% MD 1.58, 95%CI 0.51 to 2.66). Compared with sham, statistical benefits were found on dyspnoea (Std MD -1.07, 95%CI -1.58 to -0.56), quality of life (Std. MD -0.81, 95%CI -1.12 to -0.49), exercise capacity (6MWT MD 76.68m, 95% CI 39.93 to 113.43) and lung function (FEV1% MD 5.40, 95%CI 2.90 to 7.91; FEV1/FVC MD 6.64, 95%CI 3.44 to 9.83). CONCLUSIONS: Results show that filiform needle acupuncture might be beneficial for COPD, but due to the low quality of the studies this should be confirmed by future well-designed trials. PROTOCOL REGISTRATION: PROSPERO CRD42014015074.

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