Clinical observation of Zhen’ai needling method in Nei Jing(Classic of Internal Medicine) on improving quality of life in patients with allergic rhinitis

To observe the effect of Zhen’ai needling method in Nei Jing(Classic of Internal Medicine) on quality of life in patients with allergic rhinitis (AR). A total of 99 patients with AR who met the inclusion criteria were randomized into a conventional needling group (51 cases) and a Zhen’ai needling group (48 cases). The conventional needling group was treated with acupuncture at Zusanli (ST 36), Hegu (LI 4), Juliao (ST 3), Yingxiang (LI 20), Yintang (GV 29), Shangxing (GV 23) and Baihui (GV 20). The Zhen’ai needling group added acupoints of Zhen’ai needling method {Lieque (LU 7), Shanglianquan [Extra, located at 1 cun above Lianquan (CV 23)] and Tianrong (SI 17)} in addition to points in the conventional needling group. The needles were retained for 30 min. The treatment was performed twice a week. All patients were assessed by total nasal symptom score (TNSS), total ocular symptom score (TOSS) and sino-nasal outcome test-20 (SNOT-20) before and after 15 treatments to evaluate the quality of life. The clinical efficacy was evaluated after 15 treatments. During the treatment, 8 cases dropped out in the conventional needling group and 7 cases in the Zhen’ai needling group. There were no significant differences in TNSS, TOSS and SNOT-20 scores between the two groups before treatment (all P>0.05). After treatment, the total effective rate of the Zhen’ai needling group was 92.7%, versus 88.4% in the conventional needling group. There was no significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05). After treatment, there were no significant differences between the two groups in TNSS and TOSS scores (both P>0.05). The SNOT-20 score of the Zhen’ai needling group was lower than that of the conventional needling group, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). There were statistical differences between the two groups in the scores of cough and nasal reflux (to the throat) of the NOT-20 scale (both P<0.05). Both Zhen’ai needling method and conventional acupuncture are effective in the treatment of AR. Zhen’ai needling method has a better effect than conventional acupuncture in improving cough and nasal reflux (to the throat) in AR patients. 观察《内经》振埃法针刺对变应性鼻炎(AR)患者生存质量的影响。 符合纳入标准的AR患者99例, 按就诊顺序随机分为两组, 常规组51例, 振埃组48例。常规组予以针刺足三里、合谷、巨髎、迎香、印堂、上星和百会治疗, 振埃组在常规组取穴基础上加刺振埃法穴位(列缺、上廉泉和天容)。每次留针30 min, 每周治疗 2次。所有患者在治疗前及治疗15次后进行鼻症状评分表(TNSS)、全眼症状评分表(TOSS)及20项鼻腔鼻窦结局评分 表(SNOT-20)评分, 以评价患者的生存质量, 并于治疗15次后进行疗效评定。 治疗过程中, 常规组脱落8例,振埃组脱落7例。治疗前两组TNSS、TOSS和SNOT-20评分差异均无统计学意义(均P>0.05)。治疗后, 振埃组总有效 率92.7%, 常规组为88.4%, 组间差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。治疗后两组TNSS和TOSS评分无统计学差异(均 P>0.05); 振埃组SNOT-20评分低于常规组, 组间差异有统计学意义(P<0.05); 两组NOT-20量表中咳嗽及鼻涕倒 流(咽喉)两项分值具有统计学差异(均P<0.05)。 振埃法针刺与常规针刺治疗AR均有效; 振埃法针刺在改善AR患者咳嗽及鼻涕倒流(咽喉)并发症方面优于常规针刺。