Trial Outcomes & Findings for Acupuncture for Nasal Congestion in Allergic Rhinitis (NCT NCT05709977)

NCT ID: NCT05709977

Last Updated: 2026-03-13

Results Overview

To compare the effects of acupuncture and azelastine nasal spray (Carelastin®) on nasal congestion in AR after 6 weeks of treatments based on VAS score. VAS, 0 = no nasal congestion, and 10 = most severe nasal congestion.

Recruitment status

COMPLETED

Study phase

NA

Target enrollment

11 participants

Primary outcome timeframe

After 6 weeks (visit 8).

Results posted on

2026-03-13

Participant Flow

The first participant was enrolled on April 20, 2023. Between April and September 2023, a total of 10 eligible participants were recruited. Recruitment efforts involved distributing promotional materials via e-mail and postal mail to 200 physicians in the vicinity of Mermaid Medicine®.

11 participants were enrolled; however, 1 participant was found to be ineligible. Therefore, a total of 10 eligible participants were enrolled.

Participant milestones

Participant milestones
Measure
Acupuncture Arm
Fixed set of acupuncture points Acupuncture: Fixed set of acupuncture points
Control (Carelastin®) Arm
Carelastin® (1 mg/ml) azelastine nasal spray, 1 spray puff (0.14 ml) per nostril twice daily (totally 0.56 ml per day) Antihistamine nasal spray: Carelastin® (1 mg/ml) azelastine nasal spray
Overall Study
STARTED
4
6
Overall Study
COMPLETED
3
4
Overall Study
NOT COMPLETED
1
2

Reasons for withdrawal

Withdrawal data not reported

Baseline Characteristics

Race and Ethnicity were not collected from any participant.

Baseline characteristics by cohort

Baseline characteristics by cohort
Measure
Acupuncture Arm
n=4 Participants
Fixed set of acupuncture points Acupuncture: Fixed set of acupuncture points
Control (Carelastin®) Arm
n=6 Participants
Carelastin® (1 mg/ml) azelastine nasal spray, 1 spray puff (0.14 ml) per nostril twice daily (totally 0.56 ml per day) Antihistamine nasal spray: Carelastin® (1 mg/ml) azelastine nasal spray
Total
n=10 Participants
Total of all reporting groups
Age, Continuous
37.25 years
n=4 Participants
48.50 years
n=6 Participants
44 years
n=10 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
3 Participants
n=4 Participants
2 Participants
n=6 Participants
5 Participants
n=10 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
1 Participants
n=4 Participants
4 Participants
n=6 Participants
5 Participants
n=10 Participants
Race and Ethnicity Not Collected
0 Participants
Race and Ethnicity were not collected from any participant.

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: After 6 weeks (visit 8).

Population: One subject withdrew before treatment protocol started.

To compare the effects of acupuncture and azelastine nasal spray (Carelastin®) on nasal congestion in AR after 6 weeks of treatments based on VAS score. VAS, 0 = no nasal congestion, and 10 = most severe nasal congestion.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Acupuncture Arm
n=4 Participants
Fixed set of acupuncture points Acupuncture: Fixed set of acupuncture points
Control (Carelastin®) Arm
n=6 Participants
Carelastin® (1 mg/ml) azelastine nasal spray, 1 spray puff (0.14 ml) per nostril twice daily (totally 0.56 ml per day) Antihistamine nasal spray: Carelastin® (1 mg/ml) azelastine nasal spray
Change in Visual Analog Scale (VAS) From Baseline to 6 Weeks (6-week Value Compared to Baseline Value)
-8 Scale points
Interval -8.0 to -6.0
-2 Scale points
Interval -5.0 to 0.0

Adverse Events

Acupuncture Arm

Serious events: 0 serious events
Other events: 0 other events
Deaths: 0 deaths

Control (Carelastin®) Arm

Serious events: 0 serious events
Other events: 0 other events
Deaths: 0 deaths

Serious adverse events

Adverse event data not reported

Other adverse events

Adverse event data not reported

Additional Information

Johanna Maria Vermeulen

Mermaid Medicine®

Phone: +31 (0)70 3694787

Results disclosure agreements

  • Principal investigator is a sponsor employee
  • Publication restrictions are in place