Clinical observation of the efficacy of acupuncture in the treatment of allergic rhinitis

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of acupuncture at acupoints combined with needling of the sphenopalatine ganglion on symptom scores and blood IgE values in the treatment of allergic rhinitis. METHODS: Sixty-four patients clearly diagnosed with allergic rhinitis by Western-medicine otolaryngology were randomly divided, in order of enrollment and using a random number table, into an acupuncture group (treatment group) and an oral Western medicine group (control group), with 32 cases each. The treatment group received acupuncture at acupoints combined with needling of the sphenopalatine ganglion; the acupoints were Feishu, Tongtian, Cuanzhu, Yingxiang, Fengchi, Lieque and Zusanli, all bilateral. Except for Feishu, the points were needled with the fingernail-pressing insertion method, with rapid insertion, even reinforcing-reducing manipulation and needle retention for 20 minutes; at Feishu the needle was inserted rapidly and, after arrival of qi, twirling reinforcing manipulation was applied for 30 seconds, after which the needle was withdrawn without retention. The sphenopalatine ganglion was needled below the zygomatic arch, between the coronoid and condylar processes of the mandible, with the needle inserted 50 mm forward and inward and stimulation intensity up to slight twitching of the facial muscles; the needle was withdrawn without retention. After withdrawal, the needling site was pressed with a sterile dry cotton ball for 2 minutes. All needling was performed by the same person, and patients were told not to eat hard food that day or open the mouth excessively. One side was needled each time, alternating left and right. The control group took oral cetirizine hydrochloride tablets (10 mg/tablet), one tablet daily at bedtime. Both groups were treated for 4 weeks (28 days). Allergic rhinitis symptom scores and blood IgE values were recorded before and after treatment. General patient information was collected with a patient questionnaire. Raw data were entered into Excel and all data were organized. Data were analyzed with SPSS 16.0 statistical software. Measurement data: analysis of variance for normally distributed data. Between-group comparisons: rank-sum test for independent samples when the data of one group were not normally distributed; independent t test when both groups were normally distributed. Within-group comparisons: paired t test. Count data: count data of the different treatment groups at each time point were described with frequencies (proportions) and analyzed with the X2 test. RESULTS: 1. In the comparison of graded symptom scores, both the acupuncture group and the control group showed highly significant differences between scores before and after treatment (P<0.01), indicating that both treatment regimens were effective in improving the clinical symptoms of patients; the difference in symptom scores before and after treatment in the acupuncture group compared with that in the control group showed a highly significant difference (P<0.01), indicating that the acupuncture group was superior to the control group in improving clinical symptoms. 2. In the comparison of blood IgE values, both the acupuncture group and the control group showed differences between values before and after treatment (P<0.05, P<0.01), indicating that both regimens reduced blood IgE values; the difference in blood IgE values before and after treatment in the acupuncture group compared with that in the control group showed no difference (P>0.05), indicating no difference between the two groups in reducing blood IgE values. CONCLUSION: 1. In improving the clinical symptoms of patients with allergic rhinitis, the acupuncture group was superior to the control group (P<0.01). 2. Regarding the effect on blood IgE values of patients with allergic rhinitis, both were effective, with no difference (P>0.05). It can be demonstrated that acupuncture at acupoints plus the sphenopalatine ganglion method can better improve the clinical symptoms of patients with allergic rhinitis