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Brinkhaus, B.* ; Witt, C.M.* ; Ortiz, M.* ; Roll, S.* ; Reinhold, T.* ; Linde, K.* ; Pfab, F. ; Niggemann, B.* ; Hummelsberger, J.* ; Irnich, D.* ; Wegscheider, K.* ; Willich, S.N.*

Acupuncture in seasonal allergic rhinitis (ACUSAR) - design and protocol of a randomised controlled multi-centre trial.

Forsch. Komplementmed. 17, 95-102 (2010)
DOI PMC
Open Access Green as soon as Postprint is submitted to ZB.
Background: We report on the study design and protocol of a randomised controlled trial (Acupuncture in Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis, ACUSAR) that investigates the efficacy of acupuncture in the treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR). Objective: To investigate whether acupuncture is non-inferior or superior to (a) penetrating sham acupuncture and (b) rescue medication in the treatment of SAR. Design: 3-armed, randomised controlled multi-centre trial with a total follow-up time of 16 weeks in the 1st year and 8 weeks in the 2nd year. Setting: 41 physicians in 37 out-patient units in Germany specialised in acupuncture treatment. Patients: 400 seasonal allergic rhinitis patients with clinical symptoms and test-positive (skin-prick test and/or specific IgE) to both birch and grass pollen. Interventions: Patients will be randomised in a 2:1:1 ratio to one of three groups: (a) semi-standardised acupuncture plus rescue medication (cetirizine); (b) penetrating sham acupuncture at non-acupuncture points plus rescue medication; or (c) rescue medication alone for 8 weeks (standard treatment group). Acupuncture and sham acupuncture will consist of 12 treatments per patient over 8 weeks. Main Outcome Measures: Average means of the Rhinitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (RQLQ) overall score and the Rescue Medication Score (RMS) between weeks 6 and 8 in the first year, adjusted for baseline values. Outlook: The results of this trial available in 2011 will have a major impact on the decision of whether acupuncture should be considered as a therapeutic option in the treatment of SAR.
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Publication type Article: Journal article
Document type Scientific Article
Corresponding Author
Keywords Acupuncture; Traditional Chinese medicine; Complementary and alternative medicine; Allergy; Seasonal allergic rhinitis; Randomised controlled trial
ISSN (print) / ISBN 1661-4119
e-ISSN 1421-9999
Quellenangaben Volume: 17, Issue: 2, Pages: 95-102 Article Number: , Supplement: ,
Publisher Karger
Publishing Place Basel
Non-patent literature Publications
Reviewing status Peer reviewed
Institute(s) CCG Environmental Dermatology and Allergology (ILBD-KAU)
Institute of Epidemiology (EPI)