Clinical Observations On Sanjiu Moxibustion Therapy For Allergic Rhinitis

[Objective]To observe the clinical therapeutic effects of Sanjiu Moxibusion therapy for Allergic rhinitis.[Method]30 patients with Allergic rhinitis were adopted in the department of Acupuncture and Moxibusion of Nanfang hospital, Guangzhou P.R.China, from Dec.2008 to Jan. 2009. They were treated with Sanjiu Moxibustion therapy which involved the administration of a composition using ginger juice to combine the powder of the herbs Fumitory, Brassica alba boiss, Asarum, Euphorbia kansui and Ephedrae by the proportion of 4:2:2:2:2. Dazhui(DU14), Fengmen(BL12), Feishu(BL13), Gaohuang(BL43) and Zhishi(BL52) were taken as the main acupoints. Jingbailao(EX-HN14) and Tiantu(RN22) were also taken if the patients had chronic pharyngitis while Tiantu(RN22) and Dingchuan(EX-CA1) were taken for those with asthma. Treatments of the patients were undering the sanjiu cycle with 1 time for every 9 days, and 3 times for a course. Observed indicators included the clinical efficacy, reduction of symptom and improvement of signs, assesments of Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire(RQLQ) and Pittsburgh Sleep Scale Index (PSQI), and records of patients' discomfort during the treatment. [Results]①30 patients with allergic rhinitis received treatments of Sanjiu moxibustion. Of the 30 cases,16 were significantly effective,10 were effectual and 10 cases were unfruitful, and with a total cure rate of 86.6%.②The scores of the symptom of sneezing, nose-running, nasal congestion, nasal itching, and the overall improvements in symptoms after the treatment were statistically improved compared with those before the treatment (all P<0.01).③The scores of the nasal symptom, nasal turbinate color and overall improvement in nasal symptoms after the treatment were significantly improved compared with those before the treatment (all P<0.01).④The scores of factors in RQLQ of the conditions of sleep, behavior problems, nasal and eye symptoms, and the overall improvement after treatment were significantly improved compared with those before the treatment(all P<0.01).⑤The total score of PSQI and the scores of factors of sleep latency, sleep duration, habitual sleep efficiency, daytime dysfunction after treatment were significantly improved compared with those before the treatment(all P<0.01). The scores of factors of subjective sleep quality, sleep disturbance and used sleep medication after treatment has no statistical difference compared with those before the treatment (all P> 0.05).⑥Of the 30 patients with allergic rhinitis,14 patients had small blisters after treatment, and no other discomforts were found. For those with small blisters advises were given not to break them, and no infection was found after smearing gentian violet and other disinfectants.[Conclusion]Sanjiu Moxibustion can reduce symptom, improve the sleep quality thus providing a better life quality for the patients with allergic rhinitis. Generalization at clinical level should be considered.