Xue CCL, Thien FCK, Zhang JJS, Yang W, Da Costa C, Li CG. Effect of adding a Chinese herbal preparation to acupuncture for seasonal allergic rhinitis: randomised double-blind controlled trial.
Hong Kong Med J 2003;
9:427-34. [PMID:
14660810]
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE
To assess whether the addition of a Chinese herbal medicine formula to acupuncture affects the severity of symptoms and quality-of-life scores among patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis.
DESIGN
Randomised double-blind placebo-controlled trial.
SETTING
University teaching and research clinic, Australia.
PARTICIPANTS
Sixty-five patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis, who were recruited through public media.
INTERVENTION
Between July and December 1999, patients received acupuncture twice a week for 8 weeks plus either a Chinese herbal drug formula (n=33) or placebo (n=32) at a dosage of four capsules, three times daily.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES
The severity of nasal and non-nasal symptoms on a five-point scale, as assessed by both patients and an ear, nose, and throat specialist, and quality-of-life scores as measured by the Rhinoconjunctivitis and Rhinitis Quality of Life Questionnaire.
RESULTS
Sixty-one patients completed the study (31 in the intervention group and 30 in the control group). After 8 weeks, no significant difference was found between the two groups in the severity of nasal and non-nasal symptoms and in the Rhinoconjunctivitis and Rhinitis Quality of Life Questionnaire scores. Intention-to-treat analysis of categorical variables showed moderate-to-marked improvement rates of 72.7% and 81.2% for intervention and control groups, respectively. Six patients reported mild adverse events-three from each of the study groups.
CONCLUSION
The Chinese herbal formulation under investigation did not provide additional symptomatic relief or improvement in quality-of-life scores among patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis who were receiving acupuncture.
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