Modified acupuncture at sphenopalatine ganglion for allergic rhinitis: a randomized controlled trial

Abstract

To observe the effect of modified acupuncture at sphenopalatine ganglion for allergic rhinitis (AR).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.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).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。.