NCT01271595

AUTO-ACUSAR - Effects of Acupuncture on the Autonomic Nervous System in Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis Patients

Acupuncture in Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis- Effects on the Autonomic Nervous System (AUTO-ACUSAR)- an Explorative Substudy of ACUSAR

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 60 (actual)
• Sponsor: Charite University, Berlin, Germany · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 16 Years – 45 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

There is inconclusive evidence whether acupuncture treatment is effective in the treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR). Furthermore, the underlying mechanisms of acupuncture in SAR are only poorly understood. It was hypothesised that the therapeutic mechanism of acupuncture is related to changes in autonomic function. AUTO-ACUSAR is a sub-study of the DFG-funded three-arm randomized controlled trial ACUSAR trial investigating the efficacy of acupuncture vs. sham acupuncture vs. rescue medication in SAR. The aim of AUTO-ACUSAR was to investigate short and long-term effects of acupuncture vs. sham acupuncture on autonomic function in a sub-group of ACUSAR patients. Baseline values were compared to data from matched healthy controls.

Detailed description

In AUTO-ACUSAR a subsample of ACUSAR patients from acupuncture or sham acupuncture groups were included. Tests of autonomic functions included measurement of heart rate variability during paced breathing, blood pressure, heart rate and salivary alpha amylase response to a cold pressure test (CPT) and cortisol awakening response before the first and the last of twelve treatment sessions. Healthy matched controls underwent the same measurement once only

Conditions

• Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	sham acupuncture	12 sessions of sham acupuncture over 8 weeks

Timeline

• Start date: 2009-08-01
• Primary completion: 2010-04-01
• Completion: 2011-05-01
• First posted: 2011-01-07
• Last updated: 2018-11-20

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Germany