Self-administered acupressure for allergic rhinitis: study protocol for a randomized, single-blind, non-specific controlled, parallel trial

We have designed a randomized, single-blind, non-specific controlled, two-arm, parallel clinical trial involving a 2-week run-in period, a 4-week intervention period and an 8-week follow-up period. The eligible participants will be randomized into either a specific or a non-specific acupressure group. They will be required to perform self-administered acupressure on either five specific acupressure points or five non-specific acupressure points, 1 min for each point, twice a day for 4 weeks. Participants will be asked to complete self-administered questionnaires for outcome measures including a 7-point scale of symptom severity, the Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire with Standardized Activities (RQLQs), relief medication scores, adverse events and participants’ opinion of this study at the different assessment points throughout the trial period. Data will be analyzed by the chi-square or t test using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) software.