Table 2 Main characteristics of included RCTs
Study | Country | Sample size | Allocation ratio | Age | Gender (M:F) | (A) | (B) | (C) | Duration of treatment | Efficacy and safety criteria | Main results |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Treatment Group | Control Group I | Control Group II | |||||||||
Hou 2020 [38] | China | 60 | 1:1 | / | / | MA on Sibai (ST 2) with stimulation 1 × /day | CM (10 mg/ day dose of loratadine as a 10 mg capsule) | / | 2 weeks | 1. Reduction of Ig E | 1. A > B |
Wu 2020 [39] | China | 80 | 1:1 | A: 32.5 ± 1.8 B: 31.1 ± 2.3 | A: (20:20) B: (21:19) | MA on Xinwu with stimulation 2 × /week + (B) | CM (Two arms: (1) 10 mg/ day dose of loratadine as a 10 mg capsule (2) 200 ug/day of Mometasone Furoate Aqueous Nasal Spray as 4 50 ug capsules) | / | 4 weeks | 1. Reduction of Ig E 2. Reduction of RQLQ | 1. A > B 2. A > B |
Zhang 2020 [40] | China | 180 | 1:1 | A: 42.37 ± 16.14 B: 39.27 ± 15.21 | A: (31:59) B: (37:53) | Mox on Dazhui (DU 14), Yintang (DU 29), Feishu (BL 13), with stimulation 5 × /week | CM (Twice of Budesonide Nasal Spray) | / | 4 weeks | 1. Reduction of RQLQ | 1. A > B |
Sun 2020 [41] | China | 210 | 1:1 | A: 38.25 ± 8.84 B: 36.52 ± 9.86 | A: (58:42) B: (58:42) | WA on Yingxiang (LI 20), Yintang (DU 29), Baihui (DU 20), Hegu (LI 4), Guanyuan (RN 4), Zusanli (ST 36), Dazhui(DU 14), Fengchi (GB 20), Jiaji (EX B2), Ganshu (BL 18), Shenshu (BL 23) with stimulation 4 × /week | CM (Two arms: (1) 8.8 mg/ day dose of loratadine as a 8.8 mg capsule (2) 50 ug/day of Fluticasone Propionate Nasal Spray as 2 50 ug capsules) | / | 4 weeks | 1. Reduction of Ig E 2. Adverse Events | 1. A > B 2. A > B |
Song 2020 [42] | China | 64 | 1:1 | A: 43.7 ± 13.9 B: 44.6 ± 13.4 | A: (17:15) B: (19:13) | MA on Xinwu with stimulation. 1 × /week | CM (Two arms: (1) 10 mg/ day dose of loratadine as a 10 mg capsule (2) Once/day of Budesonide Nasal Spray as 2capsules) | / | 4 weeks | 1. Reduction of Ig E | 1. A > B |
Wang 2020 [43] | China | 80 | 1:1 | A: 29 ± 12 B: 28 ± 12 | A: (12:28) B: (15:25) | Mox on Guanyuan (RN 4), Yintang (DU 29), Feishu (BL 13), with stimulation 5 × /week | CM (Two arms: (1) 5 mg/ day dose of loratadine as a 5 mg capsule (2) Once/day of Triamcinolone Acetonide Nasal Spray as 2capsules) | / | 3 weeks | 1. Reduction of Ig E 2. Reduction of RQLQ | 1. A > B 2. A > B |
Zhang 2019 [44] | China | 60 | 1:1 | A: 33.93 ± 10.19 B: 34.73 ± 11.15 | A: (13:17) B: (13:17) | WA on Yingxiang(LI 20), Yintang (DU 29), Hegu (LI 4), Zusanli (ST 36), with stimulation 2 × /week | CM (Once/day of Mometasone Furoate Aqueous Nasal Spray as 1–2 capsules) | / | 4 weeks | 1. Reduction of RQLQ 2. Adverse Events | 1. A > B 2. A < B |
Gao 2019 [45] | China | 98 | 1:1 | A: 41.41 ± 9.99 B: 41.08 ± 12.00 | A: (18:31) B: (20:29) | WA on Yingxiang (LI 20), Yintang (DU 29), Sibai (ST 2), Dazhui (DU 14), Hegu (LI 4), Shangxing (DU 23), Chizhe (LU 5), Shangyingxiang, with stimulation 3 × /week | CM (10 mg/ day dose of loratadine as a 10 mg capsule) | / | 4 weeks | 1. Reduction of TNSS 2. Reduction of RQLQ 3. Adverse Events | 1. A > B 2. A > B 3. A > B |
Liao 2019 [46] | China | 64 | 1:1 | A: 35.82 ± 1.61 B: 36.36 ± 1.57 | A: (19:13) B: (17:15) | WA on Yingxiang (LI 20), Yintang (DU 29), Sibai (ST 2), Dazhui(DU 14), Hegu (LI 4), Shangxing (DU 23), Chizhe (LU 5), Lieque (LU 7), Shangyingxiang, with stimulation 3 × /week | CM (10 mg/ day dose of loratadine as a 10 mg capsule) | / | 4 weeks | 1. Reduction of RQLQ | 1. A > B |
Li 2019 [47] | China | 114 | 1:1:1 | A: 36.69 ± 2.19 B: 38.35 ± 2.30 C: 36.35 ± 2.06 | A: (20:17) B: (19:19) C: (19:18) | MA (Acupuncture on Neiyingxiang with stimulation 1 × /day) | CM (10 mg/ day dose of loratadine as a 10 mg capsule) | (A) + (B) | 2 weeks | 1. Reduction of TNSS 2. Reduction of RQLQ | 1. C > A > B 2. C > A > B |
Wang 2019 [48] | China | 200 | 1:1 | / | / | WA on Yingxiang (LI 20), Shenshu (BL 23), Fengchi (GB 20), Hegu (LI 4), Zusanli (ST 36), Feishu (BL 13), Shangyingxiang, with stimulation 5 × /week | CM (10 mg/ day dose of loratadine as a 10 mg capsule) | / | 2 weeks | 1. Reduction of Ig E | 1. A > B |
Lu 2018 [49] | China | 62 | 1:1 | A: 39.00 ± 11.29 B: 39.40 ± 11.56 | A: (20:12) B: (17:13) | MA on Guanyuan (RN 4), Qihai (RN 6), Zhongwan (RN 12), Xiawan (RN 10), Shangqu (KI 17) etc. with stimulation 3 × /week | CM (Twice/day of Budesonide Nasal Spray as 4capsules) | / | 4 weeks | 1. Reduction of TNSS | 1. A > B |
Zhao 2018 [50] | China | 61 | 1:1 | A: 39.19 ± 11.25 B: 39.40 ± 11.56 | A: (14:17) B: (17:13) | MA on Guanyuan (RN 4), Qihai (RN 6), Zhongwan (RN 12), Xiawan (RN 10), Shangqu (KI 17) etc. with stimulation 3 × /week | CM (Twice/day of Budesonide Nasal Spray as 4capsules) | / | 4 weeks | 1. Reduction of TNSS 2. Reduction of RQLQ 3. Adverse Events | 1. A > B 2. A > B 3. A > B |
Yuan 2018 [51] | China | 58 | 1:1 | A: 34.41 ± 9.59 B: 38.52 ± 10.73 | A: (10:19) B: (16:13) | WA on Yingxiang (LI 20), Yintang (DU 29), Hegu (LI 4), Zusanli (ST 36), with stimulation 7 × /2 weeks | CM (1/day of Budesonide Nasal Spray) | / | 2 weeks | 1. Reduction of RQLQ | 1. A > B |
Fang 2018 [52] | China | 50 | 1:1 | / | 29:21 | AM on Xinwu with stimulation 2 × /week + (B) | CM (Two arms: (1) 8 mg/ day dose of loratadine as a 8 mg capsule (2)Budesonide Nasal Spray as 2 64 ug capsules) | / | 4 weeks | 1. Reduction of Ig E 2. Reduction of RQLQ | 1. A > B 2. A > B |
Wen 2018 [53] | China | 59 | 1:1 | A: 35.45 ± 9.92 B: 34.40 ± 10.25 | A: (12:17) B: (14:16) | WA on Qihai (RN 6), Zhongwan (RN 12), Zusanli (ST 36), Yinglingquan (SP 9), with stimulation 1 × /day | CM (Two arms: (1) 10 mg/ day dose of loratadine as a 10 mg capsule (2) Once/day of Triamcinolone Acetonide Nasal Spray as 4capsules) | / | 4 weeks | 1. Reduction of Ig E 2. Reduction of RQLQ 3. Adverse Events | 1. A > B 2. A > B 3. A = B |
Li 2018a [54] | China | 90 | 1:1 | A: 35.97 ± 7.47 B: 36.09 ± 7.52 | A: (25:20) B: (27:18) | Mox on Yintang (DU 29), Feishu (BL 13), Dazhui(DU 14), with stimulation 1 × /day + (B) | CM (Two arms: (1) 10 mg/ day dose of loratadine as a 10 mg capsule (2)Budesonide Nasal Spray as 2 200 ug capsules) | / | 4 weeks | 1. Reduction of TNSS 2. Reduction of RQLQ | 1. A > B 2. A > B |
Li 2018b [55] | China | 126 | 1:1 | A: 35.42 ± 7.51 B: 36.90 ± 7.45 | A: (35:28) B: (33:30) | WA on Quchi (LI 11), Hegu (LI 4), Feishu (BL 13), Dazhui(DU 14), Shangxing (DU 23), Zusanli (ST 36), with stimulation 1 × /day | CM (Once a day of loratadine) | / | 10 days | 1. Reduction of Ig E 2. Reduction of RQLQ 3. Adverse Events | 1. A > B 2. A > B 3. A = B |
Li 2018c [56] | China | 54 | 1:1 | A: 41.1 ± 10.7 B: 41.0 ± 9.5 | A: (14:13) B: (12:15) | MA on Xinwu with stimulation. 2 × /week + (B) | CM (5 mg/ day dose of loratadine as a 5 mg capsule) | / | 4 weeks | 1. Reduction of TNSS | 1. A > B |
Zheng 2017 [57] | China | 50 | 1:1 | A: 41.95 ± 11.10 B: 39.71 ± 11.82 | A: (7:15) B: (11:13) | WA on Yingxiang(LI 20),Yintang (DU 29), Sibai (ST 2), Shangyingxiang, Shangxing (DU 23), Hegu (LI 4), Dazhui(DU 14), Chizhe (LU 5), Lieque (LU 7), with stimulation 3 × /week | CM (10 mg/ day dose of loratadine as a 10 mg capsule) | / | 4 weeks | 1. Reduction of RQLQ 2. Adverse Events | 1. A > B 2. A = B |
Cao 2017 [58] | China | 86 | 1:1 | A: 36.2 ± 4.8 B: 37.1 ± 4.6 | A: (27:16) B: (25:18) | AM on Yingxiang(LI 20), Yintang (DU 29), Hegu (LI 4), Dazhui(DU 14), Fengchi (GB 20), Lieque (LU 7), with stimulation 1 × /day | MA on Yingxiang(LI 20), Yintang (DU 29), Hegu (LI 4), Dazhui(DU 14), Fengchi (GB 20), Lieque (LU 7), Shangyintang, Feishu (BL 13) with stimulation with stimulation 1 × /day | / | 30 days | 1. Reduction of Ig E | 1. A > B |
Li 2016a [59] | China | 27 | 1:1 | A: 43.75 ± 12.67 B: 34.38 ± 12.93 | A: (5:7) B: (7:6) | WA on Yingxiang (LI 20), Yintang (DU 29), Sibai (ST 2), Dazhui(DU 14), Hegu (LI 4), Shangxing (DU 23), Chizhe (LU 5), Shangyingxiang, Lieque (LU 7), with stimulation. 3 × /week | CM (10 mg/ day dose of loratadine as a 10 mg capsule) | / | 4 weeks | 1. Reduction of TNSS 2. Reduction of RQLQ | 1. A > B 2. A > B |
Liu 2016 [60] | China | 60 | 1:1:1 | A: 33.75 ± 10.82 B: 32.50 ± 9.79 C: 33.40 ± 11.11 | A: (7:13) B: (4:16) C: (9:11) | WA on Quchi (LI 11), Hegu (LI 4), Feishu (BL 13), Dazhui(DU 14), Yingxiang (LI 20), Zusanli (ST 36), with stimulation 1 × /day | MA on Quchi (LI 11), Hegu (LI 4), Feishu (BL 13), Dazhui(DU 14), Yingxiang (LI 20), Zusanli (ST 36), with stimulation 1 × /day | AM on Quchi (LI 11), Hegu (LI 4), Feishu (BL 13), Dazhui(DU 14), Yingxiang (LI 20), Zusanli (ST 36), with stimulation 1 × /day | 17 days | 1. Reduction of Ig E 2. Reduction of RQLQ 3. Adverse Events | 1. A > B > C 2. A > C > B 3. A = B = C |
Li 2016b [61] | China | 60 | 1:1 | A: 40.20 ± 12.52 B: 42.00 ± 10.87 | A: (7:23) B: (15:15) | Mox on Yintang (DU 29), Dazhui(DU 14), with stimulation 3 × /week | CM (10 mg/ day dose of cetirizine hydrochloride as a 10 mg capsule) | / | 4 weeks | 1. Reduction of TNSS 2. Adverse Events | 1. A > B 2. A = B |
Jin 2016 [62] | China | 70 | 1:1 | A: 36.45 ± 6.96 B: 35.40 ± 9.23 | A: (19:12) B: (18:12) | Mox on Feishu (BL 13), Zhongfu (LU 1), with stimulation 3 × /week | CM (10 mg/ day dose of loratadine as a 10 mg capsule) | / | 2 weeks | 1. Reduction of TNSS 2. Reduction of RQLQ | 1. A > B 2. A < B |
Chen 2016 [63] | China | 60 | 1:1 | A: 33 ± 8 B: 35 ± 10 | A: (18:12) B: (14:16) | MA on Xinwu with stimulation 2 × /week + (B) | CM (Two arms: (1) 10 mg/ day dose of loratadine as a 10 mg capsule (2)Budesonide Nasal Spray as 1 200 ug capsules) | / | 4 weeks | 1. Reduction of Ig E 2. Reduction of RQLQ | 1. A > B 2. A > B |
Yu 2015 [64] | China | 64 | 1:1 | / | A: (18:14) B: (17:15) | MA on Xinwu, Yingxiang (LI 20), Yintang (DU 29), Hegu (LI 4), Baihui (DU 20), Lieque (LU 7), Taichong (LR 3) with stimulation 2 × /week | CM (10 mg/ day dose of cetirizine hydrochloride as a 10 mg capsule) | / | 5 weeks | 1. Reduction of TNSS 2. Reduction of RQLQ 3. Adverse Events | 1. A > B 2. A > B 3. A = B |
Chen 2015 [65] | China | 66 | 1:1 | A: 44 ± 9 B: 40 ± 11 | A: (17:17) B: (14:18) | MA on Yingxiang (LI 20), Yintang (DU 29), Hegu (LI 4), Baihui (DU 20), Taichong (LR 3), Shenshu (BL 23), Feishu (BL 13), Ganshu (BL 18), Pishu (BL 20), Dazhui (DU 14) with stimulation 3 × /week | CM (10 mg/ day dose of cetirizine hydrochloride as a 10 mg capsule) | / | 4 weeks | 1. Reduction of TNSS 2. Reduction of RQLQ 3. Adverse Events | 1. A > B 2. A > B 3. A = B |
He 2014 [66] | China | 60 | 1:1 | A: 31.31 ± 13.40 B: 35.22 ± 14.60 | A: (12:18) B: (15:15) | EA on Yingxiang (LI 20),Yintang (DU 29), Fengchi (GB 20), Shangyingxiang, with stimulation 1 × /2 days | CM (10 mg/ day dose of cetirizine hydrochloride as a 10 mg capsule) | / | 40 days | 1. Reduction of RQLQ 2. Adverse Events | 1. A > B 2. A = B |
Huang 2014 [67] | China | 90 | 1:1:1 | A: 26.4 ± 1.71 B: 28.2 ± 1.21 C: 27.3 ± 0.86 | A: (16:14) B: (13:17) C: (17:13) | MA on Yingxiang (LI 20),Yintang (DU 29), Hegu (LI 4), Shangyingxiang with stimulation 3 × /week | FA on Tongtian (BL 7), Dazhui (DU 14) with stimulation. 3 × /week | (A) + (B) | 4 weeks | 1. Reduction of Ig E | 1. B > C > A |
Si 2014 [68] | China | 60 | 1:1 | A: 45.63 ± 2.71 B: 45.86 ± 2.28 | A: (11:19) B: (12:18) | WA on Yingxiang (LI 20), Yintang (DU 29), Hegu (LI 4), Fengchi (GB 20), Zusanli (ST 36), Shangxing (DU 23), Waiguan (SJ 5), Shangyingxiang with stimulation 3 × /week | EA on Yingxiang (LI 20), Yintang (DU 29), Hegu (LI 4), Fengchi (GB 20), Zusanli (ST 36), Shangxing (DU 23), Waiguan (SJ 5), Shangyingxiang with stimulation 3 × /week | / | 3–4 weeks | 1. Reduction of Ig E 2. Adverse Events | 1. A > B 2. A = B |
Zhang 2013 [69] | China | 64 | 1:1 | / | A: (12:18) B: (15:17) | MA on Xinwu, Yingxiang (LI 20), Feishu (BL 13), Lieque (LU 7), Fengchi (GB 20), Zusanli (ST 36), Tongtian (BL 7), Cuanzhu (BL 2) with stimulation 3 × /week | CM (10 mg/ day dose of cetirizine hydrochloride as a 10 mg capsule) | / | 4 weeks | 1. Reduction of Ig E | 1. A < B |
Shi 2013 [70] | China | 60 | 1:1 | A: 33.60 ± 13.25 B: 35.13 ± 10.78 | A: (13:17) B: (12:18) | MA on Yingxiang (LI 20), Yintang (DU 29), Hegu (LI 4), Baihui (DU 20), Taichong (LR 3), Shenshu (BL 23), Feishu (BL 13), Ganshu (BL 18), Pishu (BL 20), Dazhui (DU 14), Taichong (LR 3) with stimulation 3 × /week | CM (10 mg/ day dose of cetirizine hydrochloride as a 10 mg capsule) | / | 4 weeks | 1. Reduction of TNSS | 1. A > B |
Wang 2013 [71] | China | 55 | 1:1 | A: 40.19 ± 12.19 B: 38.68 ± 8.79 | A: (11:16) B: (11:17) | MA on Yingxiang (LI 20), Yintang (DU 29), Hegu (LI 4), Baihui (DU 20), Taichong (LR 3), Shenshu (BL 23), Feishu (BL 13), Ganshu (BL 18), Pishu (BL 20), Dazhui (DU 14), Taichong (LR 3) with stimulation 3 × /week | CM (10 mg/ day dose of cetirizine hydrochloride as a 10 mg capsule) | / | 4 weeks | 1. Reduction of TNSS 2. Reduction of RQLQ 3. Adverse Events | 1. A < B 2. A > B 3. B > A |
Brinkhaus 2013 [72] | Germany | 422 | 2:1:1 | A: 33.4 ± 7.5 B: 33.0 ± 8.2 C: 32.2 ± 8.1 | A: (82:130) B: (37:65) C: (52:56) | MA + (C) | SA + (C) | CM (2 doses of cetirizine hydrochloride) | 8 weeks | 1. Reduction of RQLQ | 1. A > B > C |
Lan 2010 [73] | China | 36 | 1:1 | A: 38.06 ± 11.62 B: 40.72 ± 10.69 | A: (5:13) B: (4:14) | MA on Yingxiang (LI 20), Yintang (DU 29), Sibai (ST 2), Hegu (LI 4), Zusanli (ST 36), Shangxing (DU 23) with stimulation 3 × /week | SA with stimulation 3 × /week | / | 4 weeks | 1. Reduction of TNSS 2. Reduction of RQLQ 3. Adverse Events | 1. A > B 2. A > B 3. B = A |
Xue 2008 [74] | Australia | 80 | 1:1 | A: 42.5 ± 14.2 B: 44.2 ± 11.0 | A: (20:22) B: (13:25) | MA on Yingxiang (LI 20), Yintang (DU 29), and Fengchi (GB 20) with stimulation 2 × /week | SA, with stimulation 2 × /week | / | 8 weeks | 1. Reduction of TNSS 2. Adverse Events | 1. A > B 2. A = B |
Li 2007 [75] | China | 100 | 1:1 | / | A: (21:29) B: (22:28) | EA on Xinwu, Shangyingxiang, Yingxiang (LI 20), Yintang (DU 29), Shenshu (BL 23), Feishu (BL 13), Pishu (BL 20) with stimulation 1 × /day | CM (30 mg/ day dose of cetirizine hydrochloride as 3 10 mg capsule) | / | 34 days | 1. Reduction of Ig E | 1. A > B |
Rao 2006 [76] | China | 93 | 1:1 | / | A: (26:21) B: (25:21) | MA on Yingxiang (LI 20), Yintang (DU 29), Shenshu (BL 23), Feishu (BL 13), Pishu (BL 20), Hegu (LI 4), Zusanli (ST 36), Fengchi (GB 20) with stimulation 1 × /day | CM (10 mg/ day dose of cetirizine hydrochloride as a 10 mg capsule) | / | 4 weeks | 1. Reduction of Ig E | 1. A > B |