목적: 알레르기비염은 이환율이 높은 질환이다. 비폐색은 알레르기비염의 주요 증상으로 수면장애, 우울, 주의력 저하, 기억력 감퇴 등을 유발한다. 비염에 대한 침치료는 문헌에 언급되어 있고 임상에서 많이 사용되지만 잘 디자인된 임상연구는 많지 않다. 본 연구는 알레르기비염환자의 비폐색에 대한 침치료의 효과에 대해 알아보고자 하였다. 방법: 본 연구는 단일맹검, 무작위배정, 대조군연구로 치료혈은 영향(Il20), 상성(GV23), 합곡(IL4)으로 하였고, 유효성 평가는 음향비 강통기도검사를 통한 총비강용적, 총비강최소단면적의 변화로 하였다. 결과: 101명의 피험자가 연구를 종료하였으며 연령, 성별, 체중, 신장, 맥박, 호흡수, 지속성 비염의 중증도, 양성반응을 보인 항원의 수에서 대조군과 침치료군에서 차이는 없었다. 침치료군과 대조군 모두에서 치료직후 총비강용적이 유의성(침치료군: p=0.0007, 대조: p=0.0175)있게 증가하였고, 치료15 분후 침치료군에서 대조군에 비하여 증가된 총비강용적이 경계수준의 유의성(p=0.0871)으로 유지되었다. 침치료군과 대조군 모두에서 치료직후 총비강최소단면적이 유의성(침치료군: p<0.0001, 대조군: p=0.0005)있게 증가하였고, 치료15분후 침치료군에서 대조군에 비하여 증가된 총비강최소단면적이 경계수준의 유의성(p=0.0929)으로 유지되었다. 결론: 지속성 알레르기비염의 비폐색에 대한 침치료는 비강용적과 비강단면적을 증가시켜 비폐색을 완화시키는 효과가 있었으나 지속적인 효과에 대하여는 추가적 연구가 필요하다.
Objectives : Allergic rhinitis is a prevalent disease. Nasal obstruction is one of the main symptom in allergic rhinitis. It induces sleep disturbances, depression, attention deficit, memory impairments. Acupuncture treatment for rhinitis was mentioned in literature, but there is not enough report that provide evidence by well designed clinical study. The purpose of this research is to examine the effect of acupuncture treatment for nasal obstruction of allergic rhinitis. Methods : In this randomized, single blind, placebo-controlled study, we compared active acupuncture with minimal acupuncture for the treatment of nasal obstruction owing to persistent allergic rhinitis. Acupoints used in active acupuncture group were I120($Y{hat{o}}nghyang$), GV23($Sangs{hat{o}}ng$), IL4(Hapkok). Volunteers who satisfied the requirements were enrolled in study. Total nasal volume(NV) and total nasal minimum cross-sectional area(MCA) were measured by acoustic rhinometry before and after treatments(0min, 7.5min, 15min). Results : 101 subjects finished study. There were not difference between two groups on age, sex, weight, height, blood pressure, pulse, respiratory rate, severity of persistent allergic rhinitis, number of positive antigen. After treatment(0min) total NV were significantly increased compared with before treatment in active acupuncture group(p=0.0007) and minimal acupuncture group(p=0.0175). After treatment(15min) total NV of minimal acupuncture group was decreased compared with before treatment(p=0.2560), but total NV of active acupuncture group was maintained increasing in degree of borderline significance(p=0.0871). After treatment(0min) total NV were significantly increased compared with before treatment in active acupuncture group(0.0007) and minimal acupuncture group(p=0.0175). After treatment(Omin) total MCA were significantly increased compared with before treatment in active acupuncture group(p<0.000l) and minimal acupuncture group(p=0.0005). After treatment(15min) total MCA of minimal acupuncture group was decreased compared with before treatment(p=0.6082), but total NV of active acupuncture group was maintained increasing in degree of borderline significance(p=0.0929). Conclusion : Acupuncture treatment reduced nasal obstruction in persistent allergic rhinitis. Further study in the form of long term is needed.
