| Objective:To evaluate the clinical efficacy of acupuncture treatment for moderate to severe persistent allergic rhinitis(AR)when applying the "treating liver and regulating mind"method from the aspects of total nasal symptom score,emotion rating scale,as well as the influence on quality of life in patients,etc.Methods:A total of 66 cases of patients with moderate to severe persistent AR were included,random digits table was applied to allocate them in the treatment group(34 cases)and in the control group(32 cases).In the treatment group acupuncture was applied with the needling of the following points:Yingxiang(LI20),Dazhui(GV14),Taichong(LR3),Hegu(LI4),Ganshu(BL18),Baihui(GV20),Yintang(GV29),Feishu(BL13),Pishu(BL20),and Shenshu(BL23).With the patient prone first,after the Qi response was obtained on the acupoints,a neutral stimulation was applied on each point for about 30 seconds and thereafter the needles were left for 20 minutes.Then from prone to supine position,the operation was repeated again following the same protocol as above.Acupuncture sessions were applied every other day,3 times a week during 8 weeks and needles were retained for in every session.In the control group,oral cetirizine hydrochloride was applied with 10mg once daily for 8 weeks.Indicators:1)Total Nasal Symptom Score(TNSS)as a major indicator was used to evaluate nasal symptoms.2)Rhinoconjunctitvis Quality of Life Questionnaire(RQLQ)as a minor indicator was used to evaluate the AR patient quality of life before and after treatment.3)Emotion Rating Scale for Ganzangxiang of Traditional Chinese Medicine(ERSG)as another minor indicator were used to evaluate the AR patient emotional condition before and after treatment.4)Eosinophils(EOS)and serum total IgE count as laboratory examinations tested before and after treatment were used to investigate the possible mechanisms of this acupuncture method.5)White Blood Cell(WBC),Alanine Aminotransferase(ALT),Aspartate Aminotransferase(AST),Blood Urea Nitrogen(BUN)and Serum Creatinine(SCr)were evaluated to monitor the safety of acupuncture and drug therapy.Evaluation points:1)Baseline assessment:record major,minor,laboratory and safety indicators during 7 days before treatment.2)The 1st visit:record major indicator during the first month of treatment.3)The 2st visit:record major,minor,laboratory and safety indicators during the second month of treatment.4)Follow-up visit:record major indicator during one month after treatment.Results:1)When comparing the major indicator:there were significant TNSS differences in the treatment group as well as the control group(P<0.01)before and after treatment in the first month,however,there was no significant TNSS difference(P>0.05)comparing treatment group with the control group.In the second month,there was a statistically significant change of TNSS in the treatment group(P<0.01)comparing with the scores of first month,but there was no difference(P<0.01)for the control group between the two months.Also there was no statistically significant changes of TNSS comparing the two groups(P>0.05).In the follow-up period,there were no significant TNSS differences(P>0.05)in both groups,but there was significant TNSS difference(P<0.05)between the two groups.2)When comparing the minor indicator:there were significant differences in ERSG before and after treatment in both groups(P<0.05).There was significant differences in ERSG(P<0.05)comparing treatment group with the control group after treatment.There was a extremely significant difference in liver syndromes fact of ERSG before and after treatment between two groups(P<0.01),however,as to the anxious and depression factors,they were similar in both groups(P>0.05).There were significant RQLQ differences in the treatment group as well as the control group(P<0.01)before and after treatment in the first month,also,there was significant RQLQ difference(P<0.05)comparing treatment group with the control group.In the second month,there were statistically significant change of RQLQ in the both groups(P<0.01)comparing with the scores of first month.Also there was statistically significant changes of RQLQ comparing the two groups(P<0.01).In the follow-up period,there was significant RQLQ differences(P<0.01)in the treatment group,however,there was no difference(P>0.05)for the control group.And there was significant RQLQ difference(P<0.01)between the two groups.3)When comparing the laboratory indicator:there were no significant differences in total IgE levels and EOS count(P>0.05)comparing treatment group with the control group before and after treatment.4)When comparing the safty indicator:there were no significant differences in WBC,ALT,AST,BUN and SCr before and after the treatment both in the treatment group and the control group(P>0.05).And the indicators above are all within the normal range.Conclusion:1)The acupuncture of“treating liver and regulating mind”method and oral cetirizine hydrochloride are both effective for moderate to severe persistent AR treatment,mainly in the improvement of the total nasal symptoms,the quality of life,as well as the emotional and mental condition of patients.2)The acupuncture of "treating liver and regulating mind" method shows more persistent efficacy in improving the total nasal symptoms and the quality of life during and after treatment.3)Comparing treatment group with the control group,the "treating liver and regulating mind”method demonstrates the obvious superiority in the improvement of the quality of life,as well as the emotional and mental condition of patients,especially in relieving discomfort generated from the liver meridian.4)Acupuncture of"treating liver and regulating mind" method which is proved to be secure and without serious adverse reactions,has better prospects for clinical application. |
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