Acupuncture and mucosal immunity in the upper respiratory tract

INTERVENTION: Each acupuncture session will last for approximately 30 minutes including 20 minutes of needle retention time between the insertion and withdrawal of the needles. These 30 minute sessions will occur twice weekly for 8 weeks. Manipulation refers to a broad range of traditional Chinese acupuncture techniques. In this study the real acupuncture group will receive a manipulation known as “ping bu ping xie” (even supplementation and draining) which is a combination of simultaneous lift and thrust (ti cha bu xie) and twist and rotate (nian zhuan bu xie). This technique involves minute changes to the depth of the needle combined with minute rotation of the needle handle (less than 180o). Manipulation does not refer to either the insertion or withdrawal of the needle, but is confined to techniques applied to the needle between insertion and withdrawal. The 8 sites for the real acupuncture group will be: GV 23, Yintang (both on the midline); LI 20, LI 4, ST 36 will be needled bilaterally. All real acupuncture points will be located according to the WHO Standard Acupuncture Point Locations in the Western Pacific Region published by the World Health Organisation, Western Pacific Regional Office. CONDITION: Allergic Rhinitis PRIMARY OUTCOME: Modulation of the immune response in the upper respiratory tract by acupuncture in patients with allergic rhinitis SECONDARY OUTCOME: Improved quality of life scores Reduction in markers of mucosal inflammation. Mucosal inflammation with be assessed by measuring cytokines in saliva. INCLUSION CRITERIA: Males or females aged 18‐30 years with more than a 2 year history of moderate to severe allergic rhinitis, positive skin prick test and radio‐allergosorbent test to Dermatophagoides. pteronyssinus or Bermunda grass.