Moxibustion adds benefit to corticosteroid spray for allergic rhinitis

Moxibustion adds benefit to corticosteroid spray for allergic rhinitis

Adding moxibustion to corticosteroid nasal spray treatment can provide superior symptom relief for patients with allergic rhinitis (AR), Chinese researchers have found. Ninety-eight patients with perennial AR were randomly assigned to either an observation group (moxibustion plus nasal spray) or a control group (nasal spray only). The observation group received modified painless wheat-grain blistering moxibustion at bilateral Feishu BL-13, Gaohuang BL-43, Zusanli ST-36 and Shenzhu DU-12 in addition to nasal spray treatment. Moxibustion at Shenzhu DU-12 was applied once every other day, using three moxa grains each time, forming moxibustion sores after about one week. After sores formed, moxibustion was applied once every other two days. For Feishu BL-13, Gaohuang BL-43 and Zusanli ST-36, moxibustion was applied on one side every other day using three moxa grains each time until sores formed, then on the other side, alternating between sides in each cycle. Both groups were treated for four weeks, and follow-ups were conducted at four and 12 weeks post-treatment. Clinical outcomes included total nasal symptom score (TNSS), nasal symptom visual analogue scale (VAS), rhinoconjunctivitis quality of life questionnaire (RQLQ), and serum levels of immunoglobulin E (IgE) and interleukin-10 (IL-10). Both groups showed significant reductions in TNSS, VAS and RQLQ scores after treatment and at follow-ups. However, the observation group achieved greater improvements compared to the control group. Serum IgE levels decreased, while IL-10 levels increased in both groups after treatment, with more pronounced changes in the observation group. The observation group also demonstrated a higher total effective rate (93.6% vs 74.5%) and lower recurrence rates at four and 12 weeks post-treatment (4.5% and 9.1% vs 22.9% and 40.0%), respectively. (Modified painless wheat-grain blistering moxibustion for allergic rhinitis of lung deficiency and cold attacking: a randomized controlled trial. Zhongguo Zhen Jiu. 2024 Sep 12;44(9):989-94).

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39318288/