Evaluation of the Efficacy of Auricular Acupressure Combined With Antihistamines in Patients With Wind-Heat Type Urticaria
试验速览
- 阶段
- 不适用
- 状态
- 尚未招募
- 发起方
- 入组人数
- 66
- 试验地点
- 1
研究概览
简要总结
The purpose of this clinical trial is to evaluate the efficacy of auricular acupressure combined with an antihistamine (Loratadine) in treating patients diagnosed with Wind-Heat type urticaria. Participants will be randomly assigned to either the intervention group or the control group.
The purpose of this clinical trial is to evaluate the efficacy of auricular acupressure combined with an antihistamine (Loratadine) in treating patients diagnosed with Wind-Heat type urticaria. Participants will be randomly assigned to either the intervention group or the control group.
The main questions the study aims to answer are:
- Does true auricular acupressure combined with Loratadine reduce urticaria symptoms (measured by the Urticaria Activity Score - UAS) more effectively than sham acupressure with Loratadine?
- Does the intervention improve the patients' quality of life (measured by the Dermatology Life Quality Index - DLQI) better than the control treatment?
- Are there any adverse effects associated with the auricular acupressure treatment during the intervention period?
Participants will:
- Take a standard daily dose of oral Loratadine (10mg).
- Visit the clinic once a week for 4 weeks to have Vaccaria seed patches applied to their ear (either true therapeutic points or sham points, depending on their assigned group).
- Self-stimulate the acupoints by pressing the patches for 1 to 2 minutes, 2 to 3 times a day at home.
- Record their daily urticaria symptoms (wheals and pruritus) using the Urticaria Activity Score (UAS).
- Complete the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) questionnaire at the beginning and at the end of the 4-week study period.
详细描述
This study is a randomized, single-blind, controlled clinical trial designed to assess the therapeutic effects of auricular acupressure in patients with Wind-Heat type urticaria. The study will recruit 66 eligible patients at the Dermatology Department of Le Van Thinh Hospital. Participants will be randomly allocated into two equal groups (33 patients per group):
- Intervention Group: Patients will receive a standard oral dose of Loratadine (10mg/day) and undergo true auricular acupressure. Vaccaria seeds (Vương bất lưu hành) will be taped to five specific acupoints: Shenmen (TF4), Sympathetic (AH6), Endocrine (CO18), Adrenal (TG2), and Lung (CO14).
- Control Group: Patients will receive a standard oral dose of Loratadine (10mg/day) and undergo sham auricular acupressure. Vaccaria seeds will be taped to five non-therapeutic points: Helix 2 (HX10), Shoulder (SF4), Eye (LO5), Clavicle (SF6), and Tooth (LO1).
Study Procedures:
- In both groups, the auricular acupressure patches will be applied by a qualified practitioner. Patients will be instructed to stimulate the acupoints by pressing each patch for 1 to 2 minutes, 2 to 3 times daily. The patches will remain on one ear for 7 days. At weekly follow-up visits, the old patches will be removed, and new patches will be applied to the opposite ear. The total intervention period is 4 weeks (4 sessions).
Outcome Assessments:
研究设计
- 研究类型
- Interventional
- 分配方式
- Randomized
- 干预模型
- Parallel
- 主要目的
- Treatment
- 盲法
- Single (Participant)
盲法说明
Single-blind study: Participants are randomly assigned to either the true auricular acupressure group or the sham auricular acupressure group. Participants are blinded to their group assignment because the sham intervention uses the exact same type of patches (Vaccaria seeds) applied to non-therapeutic, alternative areas of the ear, creating the identical physical sensation as the true treatment.
入排标准
- 年龄范围
- 18 Years 至 —（Adult, Older Adult）
- 性别
- All
- 接受健康志愿者
- 否
入选标准
- •Diagnosed with urticaria according to the international EAACI/GA²LEN/EuroGuiDerm/APAAACI 2022 guidelines.
- •Presenting typical clinical symptoms of urticaria.
- •Experiencing persistent itching and wheals, with an Urticaria Activity Score (UAS) indicating an itching and discomfort level of ≥
- •Diagnosed with the Wind-Heat syndrome according to Traditional Medicine criteria by a certified practitioner. Diagnosis requires the presence of main symptoms (persistent itchy rash, intense itching, bright red wheals) and at least 2 secondary symptoms (restlessness, feverish sensation, aversion to heat, sore throat, symptoms worsening with heat, thin yellow tongue coating, floating rapid pulse).
- •Voluntarily agrees to participate and signs the informed consent form.
排除标准
- •Having contraindications to auricular acupressure according to the Ministry of Health, including severe physical exhaustion or immunodeficiency.
- •Having skin infections, inflammation, or ulceration at the auricular acupoint areas.
- •Experiencing acute pain suspected to be of surgical origin or in an emergency condition.
- •Pregnant women.
- •Use of stimulants (alcohol, beer, coffee, tobacco) within 24 hours prior to the study intervention.
- •Severe cognitive impairment or inability to understand the study protocol.
- •History of allergy or hypersensitivity to second-generation H1 antihistamines.
- •Currently participating in another interventional clinical study.
研究者
Cao Minh Phong
Principal Investigator
University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City