OBJECTIVETo compare the differences in the therapeutic effects on allergic rhinitis between scraping therapy and cetirizine and observe the differences in the clinical therapeutic effects of scraping therapy on the disease of different differentiated patterns/syndromes.

METHODSThe included participants of allergic rhinitis were randomized into a western medication group and three scraping therapy groups, named a lungdeficiency and cold group, a spleendeficiency group and a kidneydeficiency group, 20 cases in each one. In the western medication group, cetirizine was prescribed for oral administration, 10 mg, once a day, totally for 4 weeks. In the scraping therapy groups, the scraping therapy was applied to the running courses of the large intestine meridian of hand-, the governor vessel and the bladder meridian of foot-, focusing on Yingxiang (LI 20), Yintang (GV29), Hegu (LI 4) and Fengmen (BL 12). In the lungdeficiency and cold group, the scraping focused on the lung meridian of hand-, Feishu (BL 13), Taiyuan (LU 9), Fengchi (GB 20) and Lieque (LU 7). In the spleendeficiency group, the scraping focused on the spleen meridian of foot-, Pishu (BL 20) and Zusanli (ST 36). In the kidneydeficiency, the scraping focused on the kidney meridian of foot-, Mingmen (GV 4) and Shenshu (BL 23). The scraping therapy was given once a week, 4 treatments as one session and 1 session required (4 weeks). Separately before treatment, after treatment and in 3-month follow-up visit, the total score of the main symptoms of allergic rhinitis (sneezing, runny nose, nasal obstruction and nasal itch) was observed and the clinical therapeutic effects were evaluated.

RESULTSThe total symptom scores in the patients of the 4 groups after treatment were all reduced as compared with those before treatment (all<0.05). After treatment and in the follow-up visit, the total symptom scores of the 3 scraping therapy groups were lower than those in the western medication group (all<0.05), and the score in the lungdeficiency and cold group was lower than those in the spleendeficiency group and the kidneydeficiency group (all<0.05). After treatment and in the follow-up visit, the therapeutic effects in the 3 scraping therapy groups were better than those in the western medication group (all P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe scraping therapy on the basis of the meridians and acupoints selection achieves the definite therapeutic effects on allergic rhinitis of different differentiated patterns/syndromes, which is better than cetirizine. This therapy achieves the much significant short-term and long-term therapeutic effects on allergic rhinitis differentiated as lung qi deficiency and cold.