Abstract
BackgroundAllergic rhinitis (AR) is one of the most common allergic diseases. The conventional treatments of allergic rhinitis are oral anti-histamines, the use of intranasal corticosteroids, and immunotherapy. Dissatisfied with the ineffectiveness and side effects of these treatments, substantial numbers of patients are turning to alternative treatments like Chinese herbal medicine, particularly Tian Jiu (TJ). TJ is a form of moxibustion in which herbal patches are applied to specific acupoints on the skin. This study aims to investigate the efficacy and safety of TJ in the treatment of allergic rhinitis.Methods/designThis will be a prospective, randomized, single-blinded, controlled trial in patients with AR. After a 1-week run-in period, eligible subjects will be randomly assigned to the TJ group, placebo-control group or waitlist-control group. The TJ and placebo-control groups will undergo a 4-week treatment with one session per week and one 4-week post-treatment follow-up. Participants in the waitlist-control group will not receive any treatment during the first 4 weeks but will be required to be assessed. The primary outcome will be the change in the weekly average of the Total Nasal Symptom Score recorded from baseline to the end of treatment. The secondary outcomes will be change in symptoms and change in need for medication between baseline and the end of treatment by using the Rhinitis Quality of Life Questionnaire. Rescue medication (RM) needs will be measured using an RM score, comprising the weekly sum of daily assessments and any form of systemic steroids for allergic rhinitis.DiscussionThis study will be the first study to compare TJ treatment for allergic rhinitis with a placebo-control group, and a waitlist-control group. The investigation of TJ for allergic rhinitis will also suggest recommendations for clinical practice. The results of this study are expected to provide consolidated evidence for the effectiveness and safety of TJ for the treatment of patients with allergic rhinitis.Trial registrationNCT02470845 (17 May 2015).
Highlights
Allergic rhinitis (AR) is one of the most common allergic diseases
The aim of this study is to investigate the efficacy of Tian Jiu (TJ) in the treatment of AR, by comparing it with a placebocontrol group and a waitlist-control group, in Hong Kong
TJ, known as natural moxibustion is a conventional method of treating respiratory allergic diseases in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM)
Summary
TJ, known as natural moxibustion is a conventional method of treating respiratory allergic diseases in TCM. Our team has designed this randomized, single-blinded, controlled trial to evaluate the effectiveness of TJ therapy for AR. To our knowledge, this will be the first study to compare TJ therapy with a placebocontrol group, as well as a waitlist-control group. A third group (group W) will not receive any treatment material in order to examine the influence of sham TJ on the study results. Trial status At the time of manuscript submission the study is preparing to enroll participants; no patient has yet begun treatment. Authors’ contributions All authors participated in the design of the study and will perform the trial.
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