None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
This study proposes to evaluate the efficacy and safety of ear-acupressure in the treatment of adult patients with allergic rhinitis by conducting a multi-centre, randomised, sham-controlled clinical trial. A pilot study will be conducted in Australia prior to the main trial.
Interventions
Ear-acupressure, once a week, eight weeks. The ear-acupressure is achieved by using commercial stainless steel press-pellet tapes. The pellet measures 1.2 mm in diameter and is attached to a round adhesive tape 7 mm in diameter in a tan colour which is close to skin colour. During the treatment, five pellets will be taped on the real or sham ear points on one of the participant’s ears. Once taped, the practitioner will press each pellet for 10 seconds or until the ear become red or slightly sore
Ear-acupressure, once a week, eight weeks. The ear-acupressure is achieved by using commercial stainless steel press-pellet tapes. The pellet measures 1.2 mm in diameter and is attached to a round adhesive tape 7 mm in diameter in a tan colour which is close to skin colour. During the treatment, five pellets will be taped on the real or sham ear points on one of the participant’s ears. Once taped, the practitioner will press each pellet for 10 seconds or until the ear become red or slightly sore. There is no skin penetration in the treatment. In the following treatment session, the other ear will be used for taping. Thus, the two ears will be used alternately on a weekly basis. The participants will be instructed in the technique of how to press the five pellets three times a day. The pressing technique is to promote the desired stimulation on the AR-specific points in order to achieve the therapeutic effects. The real ear-acupressure treatment will be conducted on five specific ear points for AR. They are Shenmen (TF4), Neibi (TG4), Fei (CO14), Fengxi (SF1,2i) and Shenshangxian (TG2p). These five ear points are recommended to be used for the treatment of AR by the Chinese Standard of Auricular Points.
Sponsors
Charlie Xue
Study design
Allocation
Randomised controlled trial
Intervention model
Parallel
Primary purpose
Treatment
Masking
Blinded (masking used)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
18 Years to 70 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
Aged between 18 and 70 years (inclusive); history of at least two years of typical symptoms of AR; positive skin prick test to one or more of the following allergens: Seven-grass mix, Perennial Rye, Ragweed, House mite, Animal’s dander or Mould (RMIT site), or positive serum specific IgE test (GPHCM site); currently not involved in other clinical trials for the treatment of AR; agree to make themselves available for the period of the study; and provide written consent for participation.
Exclusion criteria
Current with systematic corticosteroid therapy; other current active respiratory disease such as asthma; nasal polyposis; other structural defects of the upper respiratory tract; wearing a hearing aid; have a history of being allergic to adhesive tape; history of HIV, Hepatitis B or C; pregnancy; used ear-acupressure for respiratory diseases within the last six months; or do not read or understand English (RMIT site).
Outcome results
None listed