RMIT Research examines the effect of Acupuncture on Hayfever
Spring and summer in Melbourne can be difficult for people experiencing hay fever, or seasonal allergic rhinitis, because of the increased levels of pollen and other allergens in the air.
Researchers at RMIT University investigated acupuncture for seasonal allergic rhinitis in a small clinical trial published in the American Journal of Chinese Medicine.
Although the study reported some differences in symptom scores, it involved a small number of participants and has important limitations. Its findings should be considered alongside the broader research evidence, rather than taken as proof that acupuncture is an effective treatment for hay fever.
What Did the Research Find?
The RMIT study investigated acupuncture for seasonal allergic rhinitis using a small, randomised clinical trial involving 30 participants.
The researchers compared real acupuncture with sham acupuncture, with participants receiving treatments over two four-week periods. Twenty-six participants completed the study.
The study reported differences in some self-reported symptom scores between the treatment groups. However, it did not find a statistically significant difference in the use of symptom-relief medication.
No adverse effects were reported during the trial. Given the small number of participants, this finding cannot establish that acupuncture is free from risks.
The study provides an example of early clinical research into acupuncture for seasonal allergic rhinitis. Its small sample size and study design limit the conclusions that can be drawn, and the results need to be considered alongside the broader body of evidence.
Original research: Effect of Acupuncture in the Treatment of Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial — Xue et al. (2002), American Journal of Chinese Medicine, 30(1), 1–11.