Table 5.

Evaluation of effectiveness of acupoint application treatment on lung function of various groups of the research participants.

Study or subgroup	Mean	Experimental		Mean	Control		Weight	Mean difference
		SD	Total		SD	Total		IV, random, 95% CI
1.4.1 intervention period≤30 days
Ye Jianlin2017	62.76	6.41	90	57.71	5.54	90	33.7%	5.05 [3.30, 6.80]
Subtotal total (95% CI)			90			90	33.7%	5.05 [3.30, 6.80]
Heterogeneity: not applicable  Test for overall effect: Z = 5.65 (P < 0.00001)
1.4.2 intervention period > 30 days and intervention period ≤ 6 months
Li Qiaoxiang 2017	76.99	7.24	60	62.33	6.09	60	33.3%	14.66 [12.27, 17.05]
Subtotal total (95% CI)			60			60	33.3%	14.66 [12.27, 17.05]
Heterogeneity: not applicable  Test for overall effect: Z = 12.00 (P < 0.00001)
1.4.3 intervention period > 6 months
Ma Ying 2018	80.78	8.11	66	62.33	7.32	66	33.1%	18.45 [15.81, 21.09]
Subtotal total (95% CI)			66			66	33.1%	18.45 [15.81, 21.09]
Heterogeneity: not applicable  Test for overall effect: Z = 13.72 (P < 0.00001)
Total (95% CI)			216			216	100%	12.68 [4.32, 21.03]

Heterogeneity: tau² = 53.16; chi² = 83.74; df = 2 (P < 0.00001); I² = 98%. Test for overall effect: Z = 2.97 (P = 0.003). Test for subgroup difference: chi² = 83.74; df = 2 (P < 0.00001); I² = 97.6%.