[Observation of long-term efficacy and life quality in allergic rhinitis treated with acupoint catgut embedding therapy combined with acupuncture-moxibustion therapy].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the impacts of acupoint catgut embedding therapy and acupuncture-moxibustion therapy on the long-term efficacy and patient's life quality in the treatment of allergic rhinitis. METHODS: Sixty-nine patients were randomized into the combined acupuncture-moxibustion and acupoint catgut embedding therapy group (combined therapy group, 36 cases) and an acupuncture-moxibustion group (33 cases). In the acupuncture-moxibustion group, acupuncture was applied at Yingxiang (LI 20), Shangyingxiang (EX-HN 8), Yintang (GV 29), Shangxing (GV 23), Tongtian (BL 7) and Zusanli (ST 36). Moxibustion was applied at Zusanli (ST 36), Feishu (BL 13), Dazhui (GV 14) and Fengmen (BL 12). In the combined therapy group, on the basis of the treatment as acupuncture-moxibustion group, the catgut embedding therapy was applied at Feishu (BL 13), Fengmen (BL 12), Pishu (BL 20), Shenshu (BL 23), Zhongwan (CV 12) and Qihai (CV 6). The treatment duration was 4 weeks in the two groups. The clinical efficacy of allergic rhinitis and rhinoconjunctivitis quality of life questionnaire (RQLQ) score were observed before and after treatment as well as in the 4-weeks follow-up after the end of treatment respectively. RESULTS: The markedly effective rate was 72.7% (24/33) in the combined therapy group and 48.4% (15/31) in the acupuncture-moxibustion group after treatment. The efficacy was similar between the two groups (P > 0.05). It was 57.6% (19/33) in the combined therapy group and was 22. 6% (7/31) in the 4-week follow-up after treatment, indicating the long-term efficacy in the combined therapy group was superior to that in the acupuncture-moxibustion group (P<0. 05). Scores of RQLO after treatment and in 4-week follow-up after treatment in both groups were improved as compared with those before treatment (all P < 0.05). In 4-week follow-up, the improvements in sleep and affection in the combined therapy group were superior to the acupuncture-moxibustion group (3.27 +/- 3.23 vs 4.61 +/- 3.56, 3.48 +/- 3.67 vs 5.81 +/- 4.15, both P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The acupoint catgut embedding therapy combined with acupuncture-moxibustion therapy are safe and effective in the treatment of allergic rhinitis and display the more roles in the long-term efficacy.

[Clinical observation on TCM treatment according to syndrome differentiation in relieving acute radio-reaction in nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) treatment according to syndrome differentiation on acute radio-reaction (ARR) in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients. METHODS: One hundred and ninety-five NPC patients who received radiotherapy (RT) for the first time were randomly assigned to two groups: the control group (89 cases) was treated by RT alone for 7 weeks and the treatment group (106 cases) was treated by RT combined with oral taking TCM from starting of RT till 5 weeks after RT. The overall changes in total ARR score and ARR in different locations were observed weekly and compared. RESULTS: The total ARR score in the treatment group was significantly lower than that in the control group (P<0.05). And the ARR scores of different organs, including skin, oropharyngeal mucosa, salivary glands, larynx, car, upper digestive tract, and central nervous system, in the treatment group were all lower than those of the corresponding organs in the control group. In addition, the ARR scores in both groups showed an ascending trend in the first 7 weeks and a descending trend from the 8th to the 10th week after beginning RT. CONCLUSION: TCM treatment could relieve the ARR in the NPC patients without any affection on the efficacy of RT.