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Feasibility of self-administered acupressure for allergic rhinitis: a pilot randomized controlled trial and lessons learnt for future studies.
- Source :
- Acupuncture in Medicine; Apr2022, Vol. 40 Issue 2, p142-151, 10p
- Publication Year :
- 2022
-
Abstract
- Objectives: 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. Methods: 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. Results: 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. Conclusion: 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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Subjects :
- PILOT projects
NONPARAMETRIC statistics
IMMUNOGLOBULINS
ALLERGIC rhinitis
ACUPRESSURE
INTERVIEWING
HEALTH outcome assessment
FISHER exact test
MANN Whitney U Test
SELF medication
TREATMENT effectiveness
RANDOMIZED controlled trials
SEASONAL variations of diseases
RESEARCH funding
BLIND experiment
QUALITY of life
QUESTIONNAIRES
CHI-squared test
DESCRIPTIVE statistics
STATISTICAL sampling
DATA analysis software
PATIENT safety
ADULTS
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 09645284
- Volume :
- 40
- Issue :
- 2
- Database :
- Complementary Index
- Journal :
- Acupuncture in Medicine
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 155467581
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1177/09645284211055757