Pilot Study to Evaluate Ear Acupressure Effects in Treating Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis

University of Mississippi

Status: Terminated

Conditions: Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis

Treatments: Device: acupressure pellets

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT01921348

2013-0165

Details and patient eligibility

About

We hypothesize that ear acupressure will be effective in treating seasonal allergic rhinitis by changing the immune parameters and the psychological impact factors are associated with ear acupressure treatment outcome.

Full description

The purpose of the study is to investigate the clinical potential of ear acupressure in treating seasonal allergic rhinitis. We hypothesize that ear acupressure will be effective in treating seasonal allergic rhinitis by changing the immune parameters and the psychological impact factors such as expectation, stress, depression, and anxiety can moderate the ear acupressure treatment effectiveness in allergic rhinitis by influencing the immune parameters.

Enrollment: 18 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Seasonal allergic rhinitis was diagnosed both by history and clinical examination and by the presence at positive skin prick tests
• All participants need to have at least 2 years of seasonal allergic rhinitis symptoms and a positive skin prick test to one or more pollen allergens

Exclusion criteria

• use of systemic corticosteroids within past 3 months period,
• active asthma,
• hearing aid usage,
• history of adhesive tape allergy,
• history of metal allergy,
• HIV,
• hepatitis B or C,
• history of hematologic, autoimmune, or malignant disease,
• pregnancy or lactation,
• ear acupressure (EAP) or acupuncture for respiratory disease within the last 6 months

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Double Blind

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18 participants in 2 patient groups

Treatment

Experimental group

Description:

34 participants will be randomized to wear acupressure pellets in the designated acupressure points and apply pressure as instructed by the study personnel.

Treatment:

Device: acupressure pellets

Device: acupressure pellets

Sham

Sham Comparator group

Description:

33 participants will be randomized to wear acupressure pellets in non-specific areas of the ear and apply pressure as instructed by the study personnel.

Treatment:

Device: acupressure pellets

Device: acupressure pellets