Acupuncture for allergic rhinitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Background In this study, we attempted to assess the efficacy and safety of acupuncture for allergic rhinitis (AR), and to test the robustness of the estimated effects. Methods The Cochrane methodology standard was followed to conduct this systematic review. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing acupuncture with other therapies for AR were included. Furthermore, trial sequential analysis was conducted to test the robustness of pooled results. Thirty trials with 4413 participants were included. Results Acupuncture improved the nasal symptoms on Total Nasal Symptom Score (TNSS) and quality of life measured by Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (RQLQ) in adults with AR, compared to acupuncture with no intervention. Acupuncture was also shown to be more effective than sham acupuncture for nasal symptom (RQLQ subscale, n = 489, MD − 0.60, 95% CI − 1.16 to − 0.04) and quality of life (RQLQ, n = 248, − 8.47 95% CI − 14.91, − 2.03). No clear difference was observed between acupuncture and cetirizine or loratadine. Interestingly, trial sequential analysis (TSA) failed to confirm the aforementioned results. The effect of acupuncture for children/adolescents with AR remains unclear due to insufficient data. The performance bias and attrition bias are serious in most studies that were included. Selection bias may also have affected the quality of the evidence. Conclusion Acupuncture may have an advantage over no intervention and sham acupuncture in improving nasal symptoms and quality of life for adults with AR. The effect of acupuncture and cetirizine or loratadine for AR may be similar. Additional trials are necessary to confirm these results.

Treatment of Allergic Rhinitis with Acupuncture Based on Pathophysiological

“…This study has some limitations, such as small sample size and lack of follow-up and recurrence data. Min He et al (2022) 75 Thirty RCTs involving 4413 participants diagnosed with AR. Participants were treated with acupuncture, sham acupuncture, or medication Acupuncture improved the scores of TNSS and RQLQ in patients with AR compared with those without acupuncture.…”

“…Therefore, further trials are needed to assess the difference between real acupuncture and sham acupuncture for AR, and more trials are needed to assess the effect of acupuncture on children with AR. 75 …”

Allergische Rhinitis und Akupunktur

“…Akupunktur als Therapieoption bei Allergischer Rhinitis wurde in den letzten Jahrzehnten zunehmend erforscht [7]. Wurde die Evidenz vor gut 10 Jahren mangels Studien noch als unzureichend beurteilt [8] [9], deuten inzwischen mehrere Metaanalysen auf eine gute Wirksamkeit bei vergleichsweise geringer Nebenwirkungsrate im Vergleich zu Placebo, Warteliste oder auch Standardtherapie hin [10] [11]. Die Effekte werden oft anhand der krankheitsbezogenen Lebensqualität sowie nasalen und nichtnasalen Symptomen dargestellt.…”

Neuroimmune communication in allergic rhinitis

“…The therapeutic strategies for AR patients targeting the nerves include selective vidian neurectomy with amputation of the posterior nasal nerve and pharyngeal branch of the vidian nerve, vidian neurectomy, radiofrequency neurolysis of the posterior nasal nerve area, and acupuncture at the sphenopalatine ganglion (63)(64)(65). These therapies may target various nerves.…”