Yu Boliang's "multi-needle Shallow Needling" Treatment Of Allergic Rhinitis Clinical Research

Objective: This study was done to evaluate the efficacy of Professor Yu Boliang’s "multi-needle superficial acupuncture" method in the treatment of allergic rhinitis.By comparing with the conventional acupuncture method,the difference in the efficacy was analyzed to provide the evidence for further promotion.Methods: Sixty patients with allergic rhinitis were randomly divided into a multi-needle superficial acupuncture group and a conventional acupuncture group,with 30 cases in each group.In the multi-needle superficial acupuncture group,Yintang,Shangyingxiang,Yingxiang,Taichong,and Xuehai were selected.Conventional acupuncture method refers to Wang Qicai’s "Acupuncture Therapeutics".The treatment in both groups taken 4 week as a total course,3 times a week,while the needle was kept for 20 minutes.The Total nasal symptom score(TNSS)and Rhino-conjunctivitis quality of life questionnaire(RQLQ)were scored before treatment and after 2 and 4 weeks during the treatment,and the total Ig E was detected before and after treatment.follow-up used qualitative study by interviewing patients 4 weeks after the end of treatment.Results: 1.The TNSS scores of both groups significantly decreased at the points of 2week and 4 week in the treatment(P <0.01).There was no significant difference between the two groups at this two points(P> 0.05).2.At the points of 2 week and 4 week,the scores of the seven dimensions in the RQLQ were significantly reduced in each group(P<0.01).The multi-needle superficial acupuncture group was better than the conventional acupuncture group in five aspects of activity,sleep,non-nasal / eye symptoms,actual problems and ocular symptoms(P<0.05)at the point of 2 week,and in four aspects of sleep,non-nasal/eye symptoms,ocular symptoms,and emotional response at the point of 2 week(P<0.05).3.The level of total Ig E decreased statistically after the treatment(P<0.01),and there was no significant difference between the two groups(P>0.05).4.Follow-up summarized three themes: obsessions with rhinitis(physiology,actual life,negative emotional distress),changes after treatment(physical symptoms,mental state,overall improvement),and treatment experience(acceptable but fearful of pain).Conclusion: 1.The multi-needle superficial acupuncture method and the conventionalacupuncture method could alleviate the symptoms,which may through reducing the Ig E level;2.Both the treatments can effectively improve the patient’s quality of life.The multi-needle superficial acupuncture is better than the conventional acupuncture in non-nasal/eye symptoms,eye symptoms,sleep and emotional response;3.The method of multi-needle superficial acupuncture is safe and effective for treating allergic rhinitis,with operability and advantages,which can be widely promoted.