At a glance
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The Oligonucleotide Chip Analysis for Allergic Rhinitis Treatment in Herbal Plaster and Acupuncture
In Brief
A clinical study evaluating Herbal plaster (Sanfujiu) and Acupuncture for Rhinitis, Allergic. Completed, enrolled 50 participants.
Detailed Summary
Using Oligonucleotide Chip Analysis, investigators compared gene expression levels in allergic rhinitis patients before and after a series of acupoint herbal plaster and Acupuncture treatment. In the first year, Twenty-three participants with persistent allergic rhinitis each received four acupoint herbal plaster treatments, applied using the moxibustion technique, and clinical outcomes were evaluated using the Rhinitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (RQLQ). Peripheral blood samples were analyzed using an ImmunoCAP Phadiatop test, and patients were classified as phadiatop (Ph)-positive or -negative. Microarray results were examined for genes that were differentially expressed between (1) Ph-positive and -negative patients treated with herbal paste; and (2) before and after herbal paste treatment in the Ph-positive patient group. In the second year, Twenty-seven participants with persistent allergic rhinitis each received four acupoint herbal plaster treatments and 8 courses of acupuncture treatment over 4 weeks in the same time.
Study Details
Timeline
Interventions
The Acupoint herbal plaster consisted of mustard seed, fumarate, asarum, angelica, cinnamon, and ginger at a ratio of 3:3:2:2:0.5:4, respectively. The treatment was prepared by dissolving the ginger in water and adding the powder to form a plaster. Mixtures were formed into cakes of approximately 1.5 × 1.5 × 0.5 cm3 and were held in position using plastic sheets.
Eight (8) acupuncture treatment sessions over 4 weeks were performed for each volunteer. The standard protocol for acupuncture treatment covered the most commonly treated acupoints for allergic rhinitis: LI4, ST36, LI20 in both sides, and EX-HN3. After insertion of needles at each acupoint, manual stimulation of needles on LI20 and EX-HN3 was repeated 3 times at 5-minute intervals. Electrostimulation was applied to the needles inserted in ST36 and LI4 with a frequency of 3-5 Hz, and the intensity was adjusted according to each volunteer's tolerance. All needles were removed 20 minutes later in each treatment session.