The purpose of this study is verify the efficacy and safety of Cettum (Electrical moxibustion) for patients with perennial allergic rhinitis.
The investigators target the patients with perennial allergic rhinitis. After treatment in 2 groups (Cettum treatment and acupuncture treatment) the investigators will compare the effects of relieving symptoms and improving quality of life. So the investigators will confirm the efficacy of Cettum, and further the best treatment method. In addition, the investigators are going to evaluate the safety of abnormal reaction during the treatment.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
40
The treatment will be applied in 8 sessions, 2 times per week for 4 weeks. Moxibustion will be provided at 11 standard acupuncture points: EX-HN3, and both EX-HN8, LI20, LI4, GB2, ST36. A specifically designed device, Cettum (20X28X18mm) manufactured by K-medical Co.(Korea), will be used to treat patients in this group. The expected total time of each treatment session will be 15 min.
The treatment will be applied in 8 sessions, 2 times per week for 4 weeks. Acupuncture will be provided at same points in the Cettum group. Sterile stainless steel disposable acupuncture needles (0.25X30mm, DongBang Acupuncture Inc, Korea) will be used to treat patients in this group. The needles will be kept in place for 15 min.
Total Nasal Symptom Score (TNSS)
TNSS evaluates symptoms of rhinorrhea, nasal congestion, nasal itching and sneezing on a 4-point scale. The total score range is from 0 to 12, where 0 = no symptoms, 1 = mild symptom(s), 2 = moderate symptom (s), and 3 = severe symptom(s). TNSS baseline value will be measured prior to the start of the experiment and then again during every visit.
Time frame: 4 weeks
Rhinoconjunctivits Quality of Life Questionnaire (RQLQ)
RQLQ is self-report questionnaire used to assess the quality of life in patients with allergic rhinitis. The questionnaire has 7 domains; activity limitations, sleep disturbances, non-hay fever symptoms, practical problems, nasal symptoms, ocular symptoms and emotional problems. Patients will be asked to recall their experiences during the previous week and to rate each question on a ranging from 0 (no impairment) to 6 (severe impairment). RQLQ will be measured during visits 2, 6, 9, and 10.
Time frame: 4 weeks
Total serum IgE and eosinophil count levels
Total serum IgE and eosinophil count levels will be measured during visits 2 and 9.
Time frame: 4 weeks
Pre KiFDA AR version 2.0
The investigator, traditional Korean medicine doctor, will evaluate the nasal endoscopy index during visits 2 and 9. The investigator will check the score following observation of the nasal membrane color, rhinorrhea, and inferior turbinate swelling of the patient via nasal endoscopy.
Time frame: 4 weeks
Pre KiFDA AR version 3.0
The investigator, traditional Korean medicine doctor, will select a pattern for each patient from among lung-heat, lung-cold and spleen-qi-deficiency through face-to-face diagnoses, based on body and nasal conditions.
Time frame: 4 weeks
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Adverse Events
Any unpredicted symptoms are checked at every visit and if any, the symptom, time of occurrence, and length of duration are recorded and reported.
Time frame: 4 weeks