OBJECTIVETo explore the clinical efficacy of herbal-partitioned moxibustion on moderate and severe persistent allergic rhinitis (AR) with spleen-deficiency syndrome.

METHODSWith prospective case series study method, forty-seven patients of moderate and severe persistent AR with spleen-deficiency syndrome were treated with herbal-partitioned moxibustion at Yintang (GV 29), Shenque (CV 8), Hegu (LI 4) and Zusanli (ST 36), once every two days, three treatments a week, continuously for 8 weeks. The visual analogue scale (VAS), rhinoconjunctivitis quality of life questionnaire (RQLQ) and scores of spleen-deficiency syndrome were recorded before treatment, 2 weeks, 4 weeks and 8 weeks into treatment as well as 4 weeks after treatment; in addition, the improvement rate of each index was compared before and after treatment.

RESULTSCompared before treatment, the VAS, RQLQ and scores of spleen-deficiency syndrome were significantly reduced 2 weeks, 4 weeks and 8 weeks into treatment as well as 4 weeks after treatment (<0.05,<0.01). The efficacy was gradually increased 2 weeks, 4 weeks and 8 weeks into treatment (all<0.01). On the 8 weeks into treatment, the improved and markedly effective rate was 59.6% (28/47) for VAS, 19.1% (9/47) for RQLQ and 14.9% (7/47) for scores of spleen-deficiency syndrome; the total effective rate was all 85.1% (40/47). Compared with 4 weeks after treatment, there was no significant difference (all>0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe herbal-partitioned moxibustion has superior efficacy for moderate and severe persistent allergic rhinitis with spleen-deficiency syndrome.