Acupuntura para tratar la rinitis alérgica persistente: un ensayo aleatorizado controlado con acupuntura simulada

Abstract

Objective To investigate the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture in persistent allergic rhinitis (PAR). Design Randomised, single-blind, sham-controlled trial conducted from May 2004 to February 2005. Participants and intervention 80 patients with PAR (age, 16–70 years) were randomly assigned to receive real or sham acupuncture. After a 1-week baseline period, participants were treated twice weekly for 8 weeks and followed up for another 12 weeks. Main outcome measures Nasal obstruction, sneezing, rhinorrhoea and nasal itch were each self-assessed daily on a 5-point scale, and scores were aggregated weekly. The sum of the symptom scores (total nasal symptom score, TNSS) was also determined. A secondary outcome was use of PAR relief medication. Results After 8 weeks’ treatment, the weekly mean difference in TNSS from baseline was greater with real (−17.2; 95% CI, −24.6 to −9.8) than with sham acupuncture (−4.2; 95% CI, −11.0 to 2.7) (P = 0.01). The decrease in individual symptom score was also greater with real acupuncture for rhinorrhoea (P Conclusion Our findings suggest that acupuncture is effective in the symptomatic treatment of PAR.