Tai Chen-Jei, Chien Li-Yin
Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
Am J Chin Med. 2004;32(6):967-76. doi: 10.1142/S0192415X04002569.
Sanfujiu is a method of applying herbal drug paste onto acupoints Fengmen and Feishu during the 3 hottest summer days, to treat patients with allergies using traditional Chinese medicine. The objectives of this study were to describe the immediate reactions (adverse effects and perceived efficacy) to the Sanfujiu treatment, and examine the variations in the prevalence of the reactions to and perceived efficacy of Sanfujiu among different sub-groups, based on patient age and diagnosis. The study subjects included 119 patients who completed Sanfujiu treatment at a regional hospital in Taipei. One week after treatment, trained interviewers conducted telephone interviews with the patients. More than 80% of the patients reported having reactive symptoms after using the Sanfujiu treatment. Younger subjects (< or = 16 years of age) were more likely to have reactive symptoms. Patients with rhinitis were more likely to have runny noses and nasal congestion after the treatment. Patients with allergic eczema were more likely to have skin itching all over the body. Overall, 44.6% of patients perceived the treatment as being effective, while 52.1% of patients did not notice any effects, either good or bad, from the treatment. The perceived efficacy of Sanfujiu treatment was not related to patient age, sex, or diagnosis. This study demonstrated that Sanfujiu treatment was moderately effective, as perceived by the patients, in treating their allergic symptoms immediately after the treatment. Symptoms reactive to the treatment were common but are usually mild. This information is essential for patient consultation, and serves as a reference for clinicians.
三伏灸是在夏季最炎热的三伏天期间，将草药膏剂敷于风门和肺俞穴位，以运用传统中医方法治疗过敏患者。本研究的目的是描述三伏灸治疗的即时反应（不良反应和感知疗效），并根据患者年龄和诊断情况，研究不同亚组对三伏灸反应的发生率及感知疗效的差异。研究对象包括119名在台北一家地区医院完成三伏灸治疗的患者。治疗一周后，经过培训的访员对患者进行电话访谈。超过80%的患者报告在接受三伏灸治疗后出现了反应性症状。较年轻的受试者（≤16岁）更易出现反应性症状。鼻炎患者在治疗后更易出现流鼻涕和鼻塞。过敏性湿疹患者更易出现全身皮肤瘙痒。总体而言，44.6%的患者认为治疗有效，而52.1%的患者未察觉到治疗有任何好坏影响。三伏灸治疗的感知疗效与患者年龄、性别或诊断无关。本研究表明，患者认为三伏灸治疗在治疗后立即缓解过敏症状方面有一定疗效。对治疗有反应的症状很常见，但通常较轻。这些信息对患者咨询至关重要，并可为临床医生提供参考。
