Abstract
Objective To compare the efficacy and safety of pterygopalatine fossa puncture using one acupuncture needle inserted through the temporal fossa (intervention) and Chinese verum acupuncture (VA) in patients with moderate-to-severe persistent allergic rhinitis. Methods The patients were randomized to an intervention group receiving pterygopalatine fossa puncture with one acupuncture needle for 4 weeks (once or twice weekly, 4–8 sessions in total, with a second course performed if required) or to a control group receiving individualized VA for 4 weeks (twice weekly, eight sessions in total). Patients were followed up 4 weeks later. Results Ninety-six participants were assigned to intervention (n = 48) or VA (n = 48) or VA (P > 0.05 in all cases). Compared with the VA, the time to onset of effect in the intervention group was shorter and the duration of effectiveness was longer. The mean clinical waiting time was significantly shorter in the intervention group than in the control group (6.640 ± 3.035 min and 31.19 ± 10.216 min, respectively). The total number of sessions in the VA group was 384; 7 episodes of subcutaneous bleeding occurred but did not require treatment. The total number of sessions in the intervention group was 185. Two cases of subcutaneous bleeding (one of local hematoma during the intervention and the other one of bruising in the palpebra inferior on the day after intervention) resolved upon withdrawal from the study. Conclusions Pterygopalatine fossa puncture using one acupuncture needle resulted in a shorter time to onset of effect, a longer duration of effectiveness, and less clinical waiting time when compared with VA. Though the significant differences for TNSS and TNNSS were shown within intervention and VA groups, there were no differences between the two groups. Although the rate of subcutaneous bleeding was low, these adverse events may influence patient compliance. This trial is registered with ISRCTN21980724.
Highlights
Allergic rhinitis is a symptomatic disorder of the nose induced by immunoglobulin E- (IgE-) mediated inflammation of the nasal membranes after allergen exposure [1] and can be classified into intermittent and persistent allergic rhinitis (PAR)
A large case study suggested that pterygopalatine fossa puncture with one acupuncture needle, a technique developed by a Chinese otolaryngologist and applied in more than 130,000 Chinese patients [11], offers potential advantages with regard to nasal symptoms, time to onset of effect, duration of effectiveness, quality of life, and time required to perform the procedure
Of the 138 patients screened, 96 participants were randomly allocated to the intervention group or verum acupuncture (VA) group (n 48 in each). e subjects were recruited between February 4, 2014 and March 21, 2015, and the trial ended on May 23, 2015
Summary
Allergic rhinitis is a symptomatic disorder of the nose induced by immunoglobulin E- (IgE-) mediated inflammation of the nasal membranes after allergen exposure [1] and can be classified into intermittent and persistent allergic rhinitis (PAR). Allergic rhinitis has a reported prevalence of approximately 10%–20% globally and 11.1% in China [2]. It causes major illness and disability worldwide and reduces the quality of life and productivity, regardless of ethnicity, gender, or age [3]. A large case study suggested that pterygopalatine fossa puncture with one acupuncture needle, a technique developed by a Chinese otolaryngologist and applied in more than 130,000 Chinese patients [11], offers potential advantages with regard to nasal symptoms, time to onset of effect, duration of effectiveness, quality of life, and time required to perform the procedure.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
