Objective: To observe the effect of modified acupuncture at sphenopalatine ganglion for allergic rhinitis (AR).
Methods: A total of 80 patients with AR were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, 40 cases in each group. In the observation group, modified acupuncture at sphenopalatine ganglion was given, 30 min each time, 2 times a week and with an interval of 3-4 days. In the control group, budesonide nasal spray was given. Both groups were treated for 4 weeks. The total nasal symptom score (TNSS) and total non-nasal symptom score (TNNSS) were observed before treatment, after first treatment, after last treatment and 4 weeks after treatment; the scores of visual analogue scale (VAS) and rhinoconjunctivitis quality of life questionnaire (RQLQ) were observed before treatment, after last treatment and 4 weeks after treatment; the recurrence condition was evaluated 4 weeks after treatment; the clinical efficacy was evaluated after last treatment in the two groups.
Results: Compared with before treatment, the total scores and each score of TNSS, TNNSS scores after first treatment, after last treatment and 4 weeks after treatment were decreased in both groups (P<0.01, P<0.05). After first treatment, the total score, stuffy nose score, itchy nose score of TNSS and TNNSS score in the observation group were lower than the control group (P<0.01, P<0.05). After last treatment, the total score, stuffy nose score, itchy nose score of TNSS in the observation group were lower than the control group (P<0.01). Four weeks after treatment, the total score and each score of TNSS, TNNSS score in the observation group were lower than the control group (P<0.01, P<0.05). Compared with before treatment, the scores of VAS and RQLQ after last treatment and 4 weeks after treatment were decreased in both groups (P<0.01), and those in the observation group were lower than the control group (P<0.01). The recurrence rate was 13.5% (5/37) in the observation group, which was lower than 44.8% (13/29) in the control group (P<0.01). The total effective rate was 92.5% (37/40) in the observation group, which was higher than 72.5% (29/40) in the control group (P<0.05).
Conclusion: Modified acupuncture at sphenopalatine ganglion could effectively improve symptoms and quality of life in patients with AR, and the recurrence rate is lower.
目的：观察改良针刺蝶腭神经节对变应性鼻炎的影响。方法：将80例变应性鼻炎患者随机分为观察组和对照组，每组40例。观察组采用改良针刺蝶腭神经节治疗，每次30 min，每周2次，间隔3~4 d；对照组给予布地奈德鼻喷雾剂喷鼻。两组均连续治疗4周。观察两组患者治疗前、第1次治疗后、末次治疗后及疗程结束后4周鼻症状总分（TNSS）、鼻炎伴随症状总分（TNNSS），治疗前、末次治疗后及疗程结束后4周视觉模拟量表（VAS）、鼻结膜炎生活质量问卷（RQLQ）评分，于疗程结束后4周评估两组复发情况。于末次治疗后评定两组临床疗效。结果：第1次治疗后、末次治疗后和疗程结束后4周，两组患者TNSS总分及各分项评分、TNNSS评分均较治疗前降低（P<0.01，P<0.05）。第1次治疗后，观察组患者TNSS总分及鼻塞、鼻痒评分，TNNSS评分低于对照组（P<0.01，P<0.05）；末次治疗后，观察组患者TNSS总分及鼻塞、鼻痒评分低于对照组（P<0.01）；疗程结束后4周，观察组TNSS总分及各分项评分、TNNSS评分均低于对照组（P<0.01，P<0.05）。末次治疗后和疗程结束后4周，两组患者VAS、RQLQ评分均较治疗前降低（P<0.01），且观察组低于对照组（P<0.01）。观察组复发率为13.5%（5/37），低于对照组的44.8%（13/29，P<0.01）。观察组总有效率为92.5%（37/40），高于对照组的72.5%（29/40，P<0.05）。结论：改良针刺蝶腭神经节能有效缓解变应性鼻炎患者症状、改善生活质量，且复发率低。.
Keywords: acupuncture; allergic rhinitis; randomized controlled trial (RCT); sphenopalatine ganglion.