The effect of acupoint application therapy
Children with chronic coughs of varying severity
One hundred children with chronic cough were randomly divided into a control group (n=50) and an observation group (n=50). Participants will be randomly assigned (1:1 ratio) to either group according to a computer-generated sequence, with odd-numbered participants assigned to the control group receiving bronchodilator therapy and empirical inhaled corticosteroids conventional treatment, and even-numbered participants assigned to the observation group receiving acupoint application therapy in addition to conventional treatment. To avoid the influence of the subjective consciousness of evaluators on the results, two full-time personnel were arranged to conduct efficacy evaluations. The personnel conducting the efficacy evaluation did not participate in other aspects of this study, such as enrolment and intervention. Before receiving treatment, all participants underwent evaluation of cough symptoms and pain levels, which were used as baseline data to assess efficacy. Control Group: After 2 weeks of diagnostic bronchodilator therapy and empirical inhaled corticosteroids (ICS), a reassessment was performed. The following bronchodilators were used: Ipratropium bromide solution for inhalation (Joincare Pharmaceutical Group Industry Co. Ltd., Approval No.: GYZZ H20203454, product specification: 0.5 mg/vial) Terbutaline sulphate solution for nebulisation (Joincare Pharmaceutical Group Industry Co. Ltd., Approval No.: GYZZ H20223371, product specification: 5 mg/vial) Salbutamol sulphate solution for inhalation (Suzhou Homesun Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Approval No.: GYZZ H20203292, product specification: 5 mg/vial) Empirical ICS included: Budesonide suspension for inhalation (Sichuan Purity Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Approval No.: GYZZ H20213286, product specification: 1 mg/vial) Fluticasone propionate (GlaxoSmithKline Pty Ltd., Imported Drug Registration No.: H20170361, product specification: 0.5 mg/vial) Treatment involved a single medication or a combination of two
1. Aged 4–12 years 2. Meeting the relevant diagnostic criteria of both TCM and Western medicine as stated above 3. Obvious organic diseases or other severe complications 4. Patients and their parents or guardians willing to participate in the study and able to provide informed consent.
1. Severe respiratory complications, e.g. pneumonia or bronchial asthma 2. Received other specific treatments for cough, e.g. antibiotic therapy or immunomodulatory therapy, within the past 3 months 3. Unable to cooperate with acupoint application procedures due to age, cognitive ability or other reasons