• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• 제24권3호
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• pp.175-185
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• 2007

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to evaluate the clinical effect of Moxa-Pellet treatment for nasal symptoms and quality of life(QOL) in patients with allergic rhinitis. Methods: Subjects were voluntarily recruited through newspaper and internet advertisement. In this randomized, single blind and controlled study, experimental group (n=19) received real Moxa-Pellet treatment and control group(n=20) received sham Moxa-Pellet treatment for 3 weeks. Acupuncture points used were $LI_4$, $ST_{36}$, $LU_7$, $GV_{14}$ and $GB_{20}$. Patient's nasal symptoms and QOL were assessed before and after 3 weeks treatment by the Nasal Symptom Scores(NSS) and the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey(SF-36). Results : The results were as follows; 1. Among items of NSS, Sneezing' Rhinorrhea' Itching scores and Total Nasal Symptom Scores(TNSS) were significantly improved in experimental group after 3 weeks Moxa- Pellet treatment(p<0.05). In control group, there was no significant difference in all items except Headache item of NSS. 2. Among 8 domains of SF- 36, experimental group showed significant difference in Role-Emotional(RE), Mental Health(MH) and Bodily Pain(Bp) after 3 weeks Moxa- Pellet treatment(p<0.05). Control group showed no significant difference in all domains except one domain(Role limitation-physical). Conclusions: These results suggest that Moxa-Pellet treatment can be applicable to improve nasal symptoms and QOL in the patients with allergic rhinitis. Further long tenn studies on the Moxa-Pellets treatment's sustaining power and safety is needed.