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Sphenopalatine Ganglion Acupuncture for Allergic Rhinitis

Sphenopalatine Ganglion Acupuncture for Allergic Rhinitis: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial

Status
Not yet recruiting
Phases
Unknown
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT07784491
Enrollment
150
Registered
2026-08-25
Start date
2026-08-31
Completion date
2027-01-20
Last updated
2026-08-28

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Allergic Rhinitis

Keywords

Sphenopalatine Ganglion, Allergic Rhinitis, Intranasal Corticosteroid

Brief summary

Allergic rhinitis can cause sneezing, a runny or blocked nose, and nasal itching, which may affect daily activities and quality of life. Nasal corticosteroid sprays are commonly used to control these symptoms, but some people may still have bothersome symptoms. The purpose of this study is to find out whether adding sphenopalatine ganglion acupuncture to mometasone furoate nasal spray can improve allergic rhinitis symptoms more than using the nasal spray alone, and to evaluate the safety of this treatment. Adults with moderate-to-severe perennial allergic rhinitis will be randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups. Both groups will use mometasone furoate nasal spray for 4 weeks. Participants in one group will also receive sphenopalatine ganglion acupuncture twice a week for 4 weeks. Researchers will compare changes in nasal symptoms, quality of life, use of rescue medication, clinical examination findings, and adverse events between the two groups. Participants will also be followed after treatment to assess whether the treatment effects are maintained.

Interventions

Sphenopalatine ganglion acupuncture will be performed twice weekly for 4 consecutive weeks, for a total of 8 treatment sessions. Acupuncture will be performed alternately on the left and right sides without needle retention.

DRUGMometasone furoate nasal spray

Mometasone furoate nasal spray will be administered as two sprays into each nostril once daily for 4 consecutive weeks.

Sponsors

Zhongshan Torch Development Zone People's Hospital
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE (Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Inclusion Criteria: * Diagnosis of allergic rhinitis according to the Chinese Guidelines for Diagnosis and Treatment of Allergic Rhinitis (2022 Revision), meeting all of the following criteria: * At least two of the following symptoms: paroxysmal sneezing, watery rhinorrhea, nasal itching, and nasal obstruction, with symptoms lasting or accumulating for at least 1 hour per day; ocular symptoms such as itching, tearing, or redness may also be present. * Anterior rhinoscopy or nasal endoscopy showing findings consistent with allergic rhinitis, such as pale or edematous nasal mucosa, turbinate swelling, and watery nasal secretions. * At least one positive allergen test, including a skin prick test, serum allergen-specific immunoglobulin E (sIgE) test, or nasal allergen provocation test. * No use of antihistamines, intranasal or systemic corticosteroids, leukotriene receptor antagonists, allergen immunotherapy, or other treatments that may affect efficacy assessment within 2 weeks before enrollment. * Baseline Total Nasal Symptom Score (TNSS) sufficient for efficacy assessment according to the study protocol. * Voluntary participation in the study and provision of written informed consent. *

Exclusion criteria

* Presence of acute upper respiratory tract infection, acute or chronic rhinosinusitis, nasal polyps, severe nasal septal deviation, rhinitis medicamentosa, vasomotor rhinitis, infectious rhinitis, or other forms of non-allergic rhinitis. * Presence of an autoimmune disease or a psychiatric or psychological disorder that may interfere with study participation or outcome assessment. * Pregnancy or breastfeeding. * Coagulation disorders, current use of anticoagulant medications, local skin infection at the acupuncture site, a tendency to develop excessive scarring, or inability to tolerate acupuncture. * Known severe hypersensitivity or contraindication to any component of the study medication or to the study intervention. * Current participation in another clinical study, or any other condition that, in the investigator's judgment, makes the participant unsuitable for this study.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frame
Change From Baseline in Total Nasal Symptom ScoreBaseline, Week 2, Week 4, Week 8 and Month 6.

Secondary

MeasureTime frame
Change From Baseline in Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire ScoreBaseline, Week 2, Week 4, Week 8 and Month 6
Total Non-Nasal Symptom ScoreBaseline, Week 2, Week 4, Week 8 and Month 6.
Change From Baseline in Nasal Examination ScoreBaseline and Week 4.

Countries

China

Contacts

CONTACTJunling Li
junlingli26@163.com+8613189264696

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Aug 29, 2026