Clinical Study on Warm Reinforcement Acupuncture at Sphenopalatine Ganglion Combined with Loratadine in Treating Allergic Rhinitis of Deficiency-Cold of the Lung Qi Type
Abstract:Objective:To observe the clinical efficacy of warm reinforcement acupuncture at the sphenopalatine ganglion combined with Loratadine in treating allergic rhinitis (AR) of deficiency-cold of the lung qi type. Methods:A total of 92 AR patients of deficiency-cold of the lung qi type treated at the Department of Otolaryngology,Lishui Central Hospital from October 2022 to March 2024 were selected and randomly divided into the treatment group and the control group by random number table method,with 46 cases in each group. There were 44 cases in each group completing the study. Both groups received Loratadine Tablets, while the treatment group additionally received warm reinforcement acupuncture at the sphenopalatine ganglion, and the control group received traditional acupuncture at the sphenopalatine ganglion. Both groups were treated for four weeks. The clinical efficacy and incidence of adverse reactions were compared between the two groups. Changes in nasal symptoms [Total Nasal Symptom Score (TNSS)], immune indicators [serum immunoglobulin E (IgE), interleukin-4 (IL-4), and interferon-γ (IFN-γ)], and quality of life [Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (RQLQ)] of the two grups were compared before and after treatment. Results: The total effective rate was 93.18% (41/44) in the treatment group, significantly higher than that of 75.00% (33/44) in the control group (P<0.05). After four weeks of treatment,the sub-item scores and total scores of the TNSS and RQLQ scales were decreased in both groups when compared with those before treatment (P<0.05),with the treatment group showing lower scores than the control group (P<0.05). Serum IgE and IL-4 levels were decreased in both groups when compared with those before treatment (P<0.05),with the treatment group showing lower levels than the control group (P<0.05). Serum IFN-γ levels were increased in both groups when compared with those before treatment (P<0.05),with the treatment group showing higher levels than the control group (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups (P>0.05). Conclusion: Warm reinforcement acupuncture at the sphenopalatine ganglion combined with Loratadine is effective in treating AR of deficiency-cold of the lung qi type. It can alleviate nasal symptoms,regulate immune function,reduce inflammatory responses,improve quality of life,and demonstrate high safety.