Abstract
Objective To assess the clinical efficacy of acupuncture at the sphenopalatine ganglion for the treatment of patients with moderate to severe allergic rhinitis. Methods 42 cases of moderate to severe allergic rhinitis patients in Otorhinolaryngology clinic of Tongren Hospital between August 2012 to November 2013 were randomized into a treatment group and a control group. The treatment group was treated by acupuncturing sphenopalatine ganglion, once per week, altogether 4 times. The control group was treated by acupuncturing Fengchi (GB20), Baihui (GV20), Yingxiang (GV29), Shangxing (GV23),Taiyang (EX-HN5), Quchi (LI11) and Zusanli (ST36) was used in the control group, 3 times per week for 4 weeks. The changes of the Total Nasal Symptoms Score (TNSS) and the Total Non-Nasal Symptom Score (TNNSS) were evaluated before and after treatment. The Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (RQLQ) was used to evaluate the quality of life. Results One week after treatment, the scores of TNSS, TNNSS and RQLQ in both groups were significantly improved than before the treatment (treatment group: 5.0[4.0, 6.0] vs. 9.0[7.0, 10.0], 1.0[1.0, 1.5] vs. 3.0[3.0, 3.0], 44.0[35.5, 50.0] vs. 60.0[53.5，75.0]; control group: 6.0[5.5, 8.0] vs. 10.0[8.5, 10.1], 2.0[2.0, 3.0] vs. 3.00[3.0, 3.0], 50.0[45.5, 58.0] vs. 43.0[27.0, 48.0]; all P<0.01); the scores of TNSS, TNNSS and RQLQ 1 week after treatment in the treatment group were significantly improved than those in the control group. The scores of TNSS (2.0[1.0, 3.0] vs. 3.0[2.0, 4.5]), TNNSS (1.0[0.0, 1.0] vs. 2.0[2.0, 3.0]) and RQLQ (24.0[19.0, 29.0] vs. 43.0[27.0, 48.5]) 4 week after treatment in the treatment group were significantly improved than those in the control group (all P<0.01). Conclusions Acupuncture at the sphenopalatine ganglion could relieve the symptoms and improve the quality of life in patients with moderate to severe allergic rhinitis, and show more rapid and persistent therapeutic effect. It may be superior to the common acupuncture. Key words: Rhinitis,allergic; Acupuncture; Ganglia, parasympathetic; Quality of life; Treatment outcome
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