Long-term effectiveness of moxibustion on herbs for moderate-severe persistent allergic rhinitis population: A study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Abstract

BackgroundAllergic rhinitis (AR) is defined as an immunoglobulin led atopic disorder that affects the nasal mucosa. Moxibustion on herbs, a common complementary and alternative medicine approach, is frequently used for treating AR in clinical practice. Western medicine is good at quick symptomatic relief, while offer little or no sustainable and steady long-term effect. Little established evidence is available to support the long-term effectiveness of moxibustion on herbs for AR. ObjectiveThis study is a randomized controlled trial to assess the long-term effectiveness of moxibustion on herbs in moderate-severe persistent AR population. MethodsThe study sample size is 56 patients. Eligible patients with moderate-severe persistent AR will be randomized into a moxibustion on herbs combined with conventional treatment group (MOHCT group) and a conventional treatment group (CT group) in a 1:1 ratio. Patients in the MOHCT group will receive a 30-min moxibustion on herbs treatment on Zhìyáng (至阳 GV 9), Dàzhuī (大椎 GV 14) and bilateral Shènshū (肾俞 BL 23), Fèishū (肺俞 BL 13) for a total of 12 times on the basis of conventional treatment, while those in the CT group will receive conventional treatment alone. The primary outcome measure is VAS score for total nasal symptoms, which will be obtained via a self-recorded AR diary. The secondary outcome measures include the average occurrence of symptoms per week, use of medication and Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (RQLQ). DiscussionThe objectives of this study include (1) to evaluate the long-term effectiveness and safety of moxibustion on herbs for treating AR; (2) to evaluate whether moxibustion on herbs can reduce the frequency of AR symptoms in patients with moderate-severe persistent allergic rhinitis. The finding of this study will provide evidence on the long-term effectiveness of moxibustion on herbs for moderate-severe persistent AR.