The combined application of ear acupuncture in the treatment of allergic rhinitis: A meta-analysis

Objective: Meta-analysis was used to evaluate the clinical efficacy of auricular acupressure in the treatment of allergic rhinitis. Methods: Randomised controlled trials (RCTS) on the treatment of allergic rhinitis with ear acupuncture were searched by computer in PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase,Web of Science,China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Database (Wanfang), VIP database, and China Biomedical Literature Service System (CBM). The search time was from the establishment of the database to September 18, 2022. Meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.4 software. Results: A total of 15 papers with 1002 patients were included in the final study. (1)Clinical efficiency: The clinical efficiency of ear acupuncture combined with control group was higher than that of control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.00001); (2) Nasal symptom score: the effect of ear acupuncture combined with control group on allergic rhinitis on nasal symptoms was more obvious than that of control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P = 0.004); (3) Nasal itching symptom score: the efficacy of ear acupuncture combined with control group on allergic rhinitis on nasal itching symptom was significantly higher than that of control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P = 0.01). (4)Sneeze symptom score: the effect of ear acupuncture combined with control group on allergic rhinitis on nasal itching symptom was more effective than that of control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.00001); (5)Score of runny nose symptom: the effect of ear acupuncture combined with control group on allergic rhinitis on runny nose symptom was more obvious than that of control group, the difference was statistically significant (P = 0.004); (6)Nasal congestion symptom scores: The effect of ear acupuncture combined with control group on allergic rhinitis on nasal congestion symptom was more obvious than that of control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P = 0.003). Conclusion: Ear acupuncture as an adjunctive therapy of allergic rhinitis can achieve better clinical efficacy.