School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia.
Acupunct Med. 2022 Apr;40(2):142-151. doi: 10.1177/09645284211055757. Epub 2021 Nov 12.
Allergic rhinitis (AR) is an immunoglobulin (Ig)E-mediated inflammatory condition that is highly prevalent worldwide. The aim of this pilot trial was to evaluate the feasibility and safety of self-administered acupressure for AR.
A randomized, single-blind, non-specific controlled clinical trial was conducted at Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) University, Melbourne, Australia. Fifteen AR patients were randomized into two groups: self-administered acupressure at five specific acupressure (SA) points or five non-specific acupressure (NSA) points (1 min/point, twice a day), and treated for 4 weeks with an 8-week follow-up period. The primary outcome was the change in 7-point scale symptom severity. Secondary outcomes included the rhinoconjunctivitis quality of life questionnaire and standardized activities (RQLQs), medication usage, adverse events and participants' opinions of the blinding method. The Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS) version 26 was used for data analyses.
Fourteen participants completed the study and no major adverse events were reported. No statistically significant differences between SA and NSA groups were identified in 7-point scale symptom severity scores, RQLQs or medication usage. However, participants in the SA group believed that SA was useful for AR and recommended it for self-care. The credibility of the blinding method was successful. No adverse effects were considered to be related to the intervention.
Acupressure is feasible and appears to be safe for self-administration by AR sufferers. Experience from this pilot study has guided minor amendments to the protocol. A large-scale randomized controlled trial is warranted to further investigate the efficacy and safety of self-administered acupressure for the management of AR.
变应性鼻炎（AR）是一种免疫球蛋白（Ig）E 介导的炎症性疾病，在全球范围内广泛存在。本试验旨在评估自我实施穴位按压治疗 AR 的可行性和安全性。
在澳大利亚墨尔本皇家墨尔本理工大学（RMIT）进行了一项随机、单盲、非特异性对照临床试验。将 15 名 AR 患者随机分为两组：在五个特定穴位（SA）或五个非特定穴位（NSA）进行自我实施穴位按压（1 分钟/点，每天两次），治疗 4 周，随访 8 周。主要结局是 7 点症状严重程度评分的变化。次要结局包括鼻结膜炎生活质量问卷和标准化活动（RQLQs）、药物使用、不良事件以及参与者对盲法的看法。使用社会科学统计软件包（SPSS）版本 26 进行数据分析。
14 名参与者完成了研究，未报告重大不良事件。SA 组和 NSA 组在 7 点症状严重程度评分、RQLQs 或药物使用方面无统计学差异。然而，SA 组的参与者认为 SA 对 AR 有用，并推荐其用于自我护理。盲法的可信度成功。没有认为与干预相关的不良影响。
穴位按压对于 AR 患者自我实施是可行且安全的。本试验的经验指导了方案的微小修订。需要进行大规模的随机对照试验，以进一步探讨自我实施穴位按压治疗 AR 的疗效和安全性。
