Acupuncture for allergic rhinitis

Roberts J
Record ID 32007000091
English
Authors' objectives:

The aim of this report was to investigate the evidence base behind the clinical effectiveness and cost effectiveness of using acupuncture in patients with allergic rhinitis.

Authors' results and conclusions: After inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied, seven relevant randomised controlled trials (RCTs) were identified. The majority of studies compared acupuncture to a sham or inactive acupuncture treatment. A wide variety of outcomes were measured in these studies. The trials were generally of poor quality and results inconclusive. Interestingly, an improvement in symptoms for both an active and inactive acupuncture group were often seen, raising the question as to whether the placebo or hawthorn effect is being seen in these trials. Acupuncture was not associated with any additional adverse events.
Authors' recommendations: Although acupuncture treatment appears to be safe and is associated with low costs, making it highly likely to be cost-effective, there is currently insufficient evidence on the clinical effectiveness to support or refute its use in patients with allergic rhinitis. A large well conducted RCT is needed and it is hoped the cost-effectiveness model in this review would help to form the basis of a power calculation.
Authors' methods: Systematic review
Details
Project Status: Completed
URL for project: http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/Documents/college-mds/haps/projects/WMHTAC/REPreports/2006/Allergic_Rhinitis.pdf
Year Published: 2006
URL for published report: http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/research/activity/mds/projects/HaPS/PHEB/WMHTAC/REP/reports-list.aspx
English language abstract: An English language summary is available
Publication Type: Not Assigned
Country: England
MeSH Terms
  • Acupuncture Therapy
  • Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial
Contact
Organisation Name: West Midlands Health Technology Assessment Collaboration
Contact Address: Elaena Donald-Lopez, West Midlands Health Technology Assessment Collaboration, Department of Public Health and Epidemiology, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT Tel: +44 121 414 7450; Fax: +44 121 414 7878
Contact Name: louise.a.taylor@bham.ac.uk
Contact Email: louise.a.taylor@bham.ac.uk
Copyright: University of Birmingham
This is a bibliographic record of a published health technology assessment from a member of INAHTA or other HTA producer. No evaluation of the quality of this assessment has been made for the HTA database.