Method Article

Effect of Combined Chinese and Western Nursing on Allergic Rhinitis: A Controlled Trial Assessing Symptoms, Quality of Life, Nasal Function, and Inflammation

DOI:

10.3791/68914

⸱

October 14th, 2025

 , 
1Department of Operating Room, Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Tongji Shanxi Hospital, 2Department of Orthopedics, Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Tongji Shanxi Hospital

In This Article

Summary

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In the treatment of allergic rhinitis (AR), integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine therapy has gained increasing attention. This article comprehensively evaluates the effectiveness of this combined therapy and explores the potential application of external traditional Chinese medicine therapies in the nursing care of AR.

Abstract

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This study evaluates the effectiveness of an integrated nursing approach (combining traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and Western medicine) for patients with AR, including symptom relief, nasal function improvement, enhancement of quality of life, and regulation of inflammatory responses. A total of 120 patients with AR were randomly divided into a control group (n = 60, receiving standard Western medical care) and an observation group (n = 60, receiving additional integrative nursing interventions based on TCM). The intervention period lasted 8 weeks, with follow-ups at 4 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months post-intervention. Outcome measures included rhinitis symptom scores, treatment effectiveness, Sino-Nasal Outcome Test-20 (SNOT-20), EuroQol five-dimensional (EQ-5D) scores, olfactory function (University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test), inflammatory cytokine levels, regulatory T cell percentages, and rescue medication use. At 6 months post-intervention, the observation group showed considerably greater improvements than the control group: lower rhinitis symptom scores, higher treatment effectiveness, improved SNOT-20 and EQ-5D scores, enhanced olfactory function, reduced use of rescue medications, decreased levels of inflammatory markers, and increased regulatory T cell counts. The integrative nursing approach demonstrates promising therapeutic effects in managing AR. It effectively alleviates symptoms, improves nasal function and overall well-being, modulates immune-inflammatory pathways, and reduces reliance on symptomatic medication. These findings support further investigation of this approach in broader clinical settings.

Introduction

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Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a clinically common non-infectious disease characterised by inflammation of the nasal mucosa1. It is a global health concern, affecting up to 40% of the population worldwide2. The aetiology of AR is associated with environmental and genetic factors, although its exact cause and pathogenesis have not yet been fully understood.

Typical symptoms of AR include nasal congestion, runny nose, decreased nasal ventilation, and nasal itching, which can considerably affect patients' respiratory function and daily life, including sleep disturbances and daytime fatigue

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Protocol

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The study was approved by the institutional review board Shanxi Bethune Hospital of the study center in accordance with the revised Declaration of Helsinki (2013). Written informed consent was obtained from all patients and their legal guardians prior to participation. The overview of the entire plan is shown in Figure 1.

1. Study design and participant recruitment

  1. Based on the minimum clinically important difference (8.9) of the Sino-Nasal Outcome Test-20 (SNOT-20) score reported in previous studies18, set α = 0.05 and β = 0.2.
    NOTE: It was ....

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Results

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Baseline data

Baseline characteristics were ensured to be comparable between groups before proceeding with intervention analysis. Comparability was confirmed by checking that no statistically significant differences existed in gender distribution, age, body mass index, or eosinophil levels between the observation group and the control group (Table 1).

Comparison of rhinitis symptom scores between the two gro.......

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Discussion

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The findings of this research demonstrate that integrated TCM and Western medicine nursing interventions substantially enhanced clinical outcomes and quality of life and modulated inflammatory responses in patients with AR.

Allergic rhinitis is a common allergic condition in otorhinolaryngology that damages the nasal mucosa and its function. Clinically, AR is characterized by nasal congestion, persistent runny nose and localized itching. In severe cases, it adversely impacts respiratory functi.......

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Disclosures

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All of the authors had no personal, financial, commercial, or academic conflicts of interest

Acknowledgements

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Not applicable.

....

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Materials

List of materials used in this article
NameCompanyCatalog NumberComments
Acori tatarinowii rhizoma China, Guangdong, Zhongshan Zhengdexiang Chinese Herbal Pieces Co., Ltd.Herbs (TCM)
Aconiti lateralis radix praeparata China, Guangdong, Zhongshan Zhengdexiang Chinese Herbal Pieces Co., Ltd.Herbs (TCM)
Atractylodis macrocephalae rhizoma China, Guangdong, Zhongshan Zhengdexiang Chinese Herbal Pieces Co., Ltd.Herbs TCM)
Asari radix et rhizoma China, Guangdong, Zhongshan Zhengdexiang Chinese Herbal Pieces Co., Ltd.Herbs (TCM)
Artemisiae argyi folium China, Guangdong, Zhongshan Zhengdexiang Chinese Herbal Pieces Co., Ltd.Herbs (TCM)
Astragali radix China, Guangdong, Zhongshan Zhengdexiang Chinese Herbal Pieces Co., Ltd.Herbs (TCM)
Astragali radix China, Guangdong, Zhongshan Zhengdexiang Chinese Herbal Pieces Co., Ltd.Herbs (TCM)
Cicadae periostracum China, Guangdong, Zhongshan Zhengdexiang Chinese Herbal Pieces Co., Ltd.Herbs (TCM)
Corydalis rhizoma China, Guangdong, Zhongshan Zhengdexiang Chinese Herbal Pieces Co., Ltd.Herbs (TCM)
Cistanches herba China, Guangdong, Zhongshan Zhengdexiang Chinese Herbal Pieces Co., Ltd.Herbs (TCM)
Ephedrae herba China, Guangdong, Zhongshan Zhengdexiang Chinese Herbal Pieces Co., Ltd.Herbs (TCM)
Ephedrae herba China, Guangdong, Zhongshan Zhengdexiang Chinese Herbal Pieces Co., Ltd.Herbs (TCM)
Epimedii folium China, Guangdong, Zhongshan Zhengdexiang Chinese Herbal Pieces Co., Ltd.Herbs (TCM)
Ginger juiceChina, Guangdong, Zhongshan Zhengdexiang Chinese Herbal Pieces Co., Ltd.Herbs (TCM)
Human IL-4 ELISA Kit (PI618)Beyotime Biotechnology Co., Ltd. (Nanjing, Jiangsu, China)Tool
Human IL-5 ELISA Kit (PI625)Beyotime Biotechnology Co., Ltd. (Nanjing, Jiangsu, China)Tool
Magnoliae flos China, Guangdong, Zhongshan Zhengdexiang Chinese Herbal Pieces Co., Ltd.Herbs (TCM)
Menthae herba China, Guangdong, Zhongshan Zhengdexiang Chinese Herbal Pieces Co., Ltd.Herbs (TCM)
Pinelliae rhizoma China, Guangdong, Zhongshan Zhengdexiang Chinese Herbal Pieces Co., Ltd.Herbs (TCM)
Saposhnikoviae radix China, Guangdong, Zhongshan Zhengdexiang Chinese Herbal Pieces Co., Ltd.Herbs (TCM)
Schisandra chinensis fructus China, Guangdong, Zhongshan Zhengdexiang Chinese Herbal Pieces Co., Ltd.Herbs (TCM)
Sinapis semen China, Guangdong, Zhongshan Zhengdexiang Chinese Herbal Pieces Co., Ltd.Herbs (TCM)
Xanthii fructusChina, Guangdong, Zhongshan Zhengdexiang Chinese Herbal Pieces Co., Ltd.Herbs (TCM)
Zingiberis rhizoma China, Guangdong, Zhongshan Zhengdexiang Chinese Herbal Pieces Co., Ltd.Herbs (TCM)
HydroPulse NeoNeilMed, California, USATool
SPSS version 25.0IBM, USAStatistical Software

References

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  1. Wallace, D. V., et al. The diagnosis and management of rhinitis: an updated practice parameter. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 122 (Suppl), S1-S4 (2008).
  2. Gani, F., et al. Allergic rhinitis and COVID-19: friends or foes. Eur Ann Allergy Clin Immunol

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Tags

Allergic RhinitisIntegrated NursingChinese MedicineWestern MedicineSymptom ReliefNasal FunctionQuality Of LifeInflammatory MarkersRegulatory T CellsOlfactory Function

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