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Formulating critical clinical questions and outcomes is essential for developing clinical practice guidelines (CPGs). This study aims to formulate the key clinical questions and outcomes for the CPG on acupuncture and moxibustion for allergic rhinitis (AR). PICO (patient, intervention, comparator, and outcome) question survey, Delphi survey, and consensus conference of the guideline development group (GDG) were employed. PICO questionnaires were used to gather and analyze the target users' key demands and interests. The GDG then selected the critical clinical questions and outcomes via a mixed method of Delphi survey and consensus conference. Fifteen potential clinical questions and ten types of outcomes were formulated based on the analysis of 123 responses from seventeen countries on five continents. After two rounds of the Delphi survey and complete discussions, a consensus was reached by the GDG that all potential questions were included. After three rounds of the Delphi survey and complete debate, the consensus was reached that nine outcomes were considered important. Fifteen key clinical questions and nine important outcomes were formulated for the CPG. These covered issues elicited the most attention from global users in acupuncture therapy and AR. The results will contribute to the CPGs development and future clinical studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The survey aims to collect clinical questions for the clinical practice guideline on acupuncture and moxibustion in treating allergic rhinitis. The survey is consisted of multiple-choice questions, ranking questions, and open questions. Readers are recommended to complete the open questions using PICO (Patients, Intervention, Comparator and Outcome) framework, referring to the examples. The survey might take about 30 min, and the responses from readers will greatly contribute to the formation of this guideline. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Allergic rhinitis (AR) is defined as an immunoglobulin led atopic disorder that affects the nasal mucosa. Moxibustion on herbs, a common complementary and alternative medicine approach, is frequently used for treating AR in clinical practice. Western medicine is good at quick symptomatic relief, while offer little or no sustainable and steady long-term effect. Little established evidence is available to support the long-term effectiveness of moxibustion on herbs for AR. Objective This study is a randomized controlled trial to assess the long-term effectiveness of moxibustion on herbs in moderate-severe persistent AR population. Methods The study sample size is 56 patients. Eligible patients with moderate-severe persistent AR will be randomized into a moxibustion on herbs combined with conventional treatment group (MOHCT group) and a conventional treatment group (CT group) in a 1:1 ratio. Patients in the MOHCT group will receive a 30-min moxibustion on herbs treatment on Zhìyáng (至阳 GV 9), Dàzhuī (大椎 GV 14) and bilateral Shènshū (肾俞 BL 23), Fèishū (肺俞 BL 13) for a total of 12 times on the basis of conventional treatment, while those in the CT group will receive conventional treatment alone. The primary outcome measure is VAS score for total nasal symptoms, which will be obtained via a self-recorded AR diary. The secondary outcome measures include the average occurrence of symptoms per week, use of medication and Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (RQLQ). Discussion The objectives of this study include (1) to evaluate the long-term effectiveness and safety of moxibustion on herbs for treating AR; (2) to evaluate whether moxibustion on herbs can reduce the frequency of AR symptoms in patients with moderate-severe persistent allergic rhinitis. The finding of this study will provide evidence on the long-term effectiveness of moxibustion on herbs for moderate-severe persistent AR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]