title: Chinese medicine acupoint herbal patching for allergic rhinitis: a randomized controlled clinical trial.
abstract: The aim of this study is pursue the effect of herbal point-patch treatment on allergic rhinitis patients by investigation of the changes of serum total IgE (T-IgE) and eosinophile cationic protein (ECP) levels and through assessment of the results of SF-36 and rhinitis severity questionnaires. A prospective, randomized, single-blind, parallel, controlled study was used. Forty- three eligible participants were selected from outpatients of the Dept. of Ear, Nose, and Throat and Chinese medicine clinic, and 33 eligible participants completed the treatment satisfactorily. Participants used a Chinese herbal point-patch or a placebo patch once a week, for three hours at a time, after being randomly assigned to a control or an experimental group. Each treatment course was three weeks in duration, and each participant underwent two courses of treatment. Before and after each course, participants evaluated the effectiveness of the treatment by completing a questionnaire, and blood samples were collected for T-IgE and ECP analysis. The data revealed that the acupoint herbal patch is a valuable treatment for allergic rhinitis, especially in the symptoms of sneezing, running and itchy nose. The results of the SF-36 indicate a distinct improvement in GH (general health) and VT (vitality) in patients treated with acupoint herbal patches. This study supports the belief that the acupoint herbal patch is an effective treatment for allergic rhinitis and can significantly improve general health, social life and vitality in quality of life.
authors.affiliation: Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Potz Hospital, Executive Yuan, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Wei-Hung
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Hsu
authors.forename: Tsung-Jung
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Ho
authors.forename: Chih-Yang
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Hsu-Chueh
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Ho
authors.forename: Yi-Ling
authors.initials: YL
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Hsu-Jan
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Ning-Sheng
authors.initials: NS
authors.lastname: Lai
authors.forename: Jaung-Geng
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Lin
mesh_terms: D015669:Acupuncture Points; D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D047150:Eosinophil Cationic Protein / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood; D019684:Magnoliopsida; D008297:Male; D009297:Nasal Mucosa / Q000187:drug effects; D009666:Nose / Q000187:drug effects; D008517:Phytotherapy; D011788:Quality of Life; D012221:Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D006255:Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D012912:Sneezing / Q000187:drug effects; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; D047150:Eosinophil Cationic Protein