Comparison of traditional Chinese acupuncture, minimal acupuncture at non-acupoints and conventional treatment for chronic sinusitis.
OBJECTIVE
To compare traditional Chinese acupuncture, minimal acupuncture at non-acupoints and conventional treatment for chronic sinusitis.


METHODS
A three-armed single blind randomised controlled study.


METHODS
In an outpatient specialist clinic, we recruited 65 patients with symptoms of sinusitis >3 months and signs of sinusitis on computed tomography (CT).


METHODS
We randomised patients to one of three study arms: (1) 2-4 weeks of medication with antibiotics, corticosteroids, 0.9% sodium chloride solution, and local decongestants (n=21), (2) 10 treatments with traditional Chinese acupuncture (n=25), or (3) 10 treatments with minimal acupuncture at non-acupoints (n=19).


METHODS
Change in sinus soft tissue swelling on CT, symptoms of sinusitis, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL), using the two component summary scales of the Short Form 36 and a rating scale.


RESULTS
In the conventional treatment group, sinus soft tissue swelling was reduced over 4 weeks (p=0.04), and HRQoL improved over 12 weeks (p=0.01-0.05). Pairwise comparisons of changes in total symptom score between the groups showed signs of a difference between conventional medication and sham over 4 weeks (p=0.06).


CONCLUSIONS
Sinus soft tissue swelling was reduced in the conventional treatment group over 4 weeks, and HRQoL improved over 12 weeks. Only a non-significant difference in symptom score change over 4 and 12 weeks was shown between conventional medication and traditional Chinese acupuncture.
Rössberg
E
E
Balder-Klinikken, Oslo, Norway. eroessbe@c2ni.net
Larsson
P G
PG
Birkeflet
O
O
Söholt
L-E
LE
Stavem
K
K
D026881:Acupuncture / Q000379:methods*; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011788:Quality of Life; D012852:Sinusitis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents