Effect and Safety Evaluation of Acupuncture at Neiyingxiang Acupoint Combined with Routine Symptomatic Treatment for Allergic Rhinitis

Abstract

Background

Conventional symptomatic treatments for allergic rhinitis often yield limited efficacy, prompting growing acceptance of traditional Chinese medicine modalities such as acupuncture. Adjunctive acupuncture at the Neiyingxiang (EX-HN 9) point shows promise for improving patient outcomes, but existing research is hindered by methodological flaws that compromise result reliability and applicability.

Objective

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Neiyingxiang acupuncture as an adjunct to conventional symptomatic treatment for allergic rhinitis, focusing on disease control and short-term prognosis.

Methods

From March 2019 to September 2024, 100 eligible patients were randomly assigned to two groups (n = 50 each). The control group received standard symptomatic management (allergen avoidance, diet/exercise guidance, and intranasal fluticasone propionate spray), whereas the observation group received the same standard care in combination with Neiyingxiang acupuncture. The key outcomes included clinical effective rate, nasal symptom/sign scores, total nasal symptom score (TNSS), total non-nasal symptom score (TNNSS), serum biomarkers (IgA, IgE, IL-1, IL-4), and adverse events.

Results

The observation group achieved a significantly higher total effective rate (96.00%) than the control group (80.00%, P < 0.05). At 1-month follow-up, the observation group showed more substantial reductions in nasal symptom/sign scores, TNSS, and TNNSS (all P < 0.05). Serum analyses revealed superior immunomodulatory effects in the observation group: greater increases in IgA and IL-1, and more marked decreases in IgE and IL-4 (all P < 0.05). Adverse reaction rates were 6.00% (observation group) and 8.00% (control group), with no statistical difference (P > 0.05).

Conclusion

Neiyingxiang acupuncture combined with conventional symptomatic treatment significantly enhances the management of allergic rhinitis, delivering more effective symptomatic relief and robust immunomodulatory benefits without increasing adverse risk.