Effect of adding a Chinese herbal preparation to acupuncture for seasonal allergic rhinitis: randomised double-blind controlled trial.
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.


METHODS
Randomised double-blind placebo-controlled trial.


METHODS
University teaching and research clinic, Australia.


METHODS
Sixty-five patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis, who were recruited through public media.


METHODS
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.


METHODS
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.


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Xue
C C L
CC
RMIT Chinese Medicine Research Group, RMIT University, Bundoora West Campus, Bundoora, Victoria 3083, Australia. charlie.xue@rmit.edu.au
Thien
F C K
FC
Zhang
J J S
JJ
Yang
W
W
Da Costa
C
C
Li
C G
CG
D026881:Acupuncture; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001315:Australia; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008516:Medicine, Chinese Traditional; D008875:Middle Aged; D008517:Phytotherapy; D011788:Quality of Life; D006255:Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal