Background: Persistent allergic rhinitis (PAR) is a common disorder affecting substantial number of people worldwide. In Australia, allergic rhinitis affects 16% of the population. Increasingly, patients are seeking alternative therapies especially acupuncture for allergic diseases. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture in the treatment of persistent allergic rhinitis. Methods: Eighty (80) subjects aged between 16 and 70 were randomly assigned to either real or sham acupuncture groups. Each patient received either real or sham acupuncture treatments twice per week for the period of eight weeks. Daily symptom scores by subjects using five-point scale was employed as the primary outcome measure to assess the severity of nasal symptoms every day. The secondary outcome measures were rhinoconjunctivitis quality of life questionnaire (RQLQ) and relief medication scores. Relief medication scores were recorded every day by subjects whereas RQLQ assessment was monitored fortnightly throughout the trial and at the end of three-month follow-up period. Results: Compared to the control group, the real acupuncture group demonstrated more improvement of nasal symptoms after eight-week treatment and significant after the follow-up periods. Significant differences between the two groups were also shown in terms of RQLQ. While there were not significantly Relief medication scores were more reduced in real acupuncture group than those in control group, although the differences were not significant. Both real and sham acupuncture treatments were well tolerated. Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that acupuncture is potentially an effective and safe option of treatment for persistent allergic rhinitis and it may improve patients' quality of life.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:ADTP/210357 |
| Date | January 2006 |
| Creators | An, Xue Dong, s3059829@student.rmit.edu.au |
| Publisher | RMIT University. Health Sciences |
| Source Sets | Australiasian Digital Theses Program |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Rights | http://www.rmit.edu.au/help/disclaimer, Copyright Xue Dong An |
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