Efficacy and safety of press-needle therapy for allergic rhinitis in children: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Int J Pediatr OtorhinolaryngolJul 20, 2026 (epub)
Hongxuan Du, Shaojun Lu, Donglin Cai et al.
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In 30 seconds
This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the efficacy and safety of press-needle therapy for allergic rhinitis in children, analyzing 24 randomized controlled trials with 1625 participants. The study found that press-needle therapy significantly improved clinical efficacy (OR = 3.75) and reduced recurrence rates (OR = 0.37) when used alongside medication, although monotherapy did not show significant benefits.
Key findings
- Press-needle therapy improved clinical efficacy with an odds ratio of 3.75.
- Press-needle plus medication was superior to medication alone (OR = 4.60).
- Recurrence rate was significantly lower in the intervention group (OR = 0.37).
- Significant reductions in VAS, TNSS, PRQLQ, and serum IgE were observed.
Why it matters
Understanding the efficacy of adjunctive therapies like press-needle therapy can enhance treatment strategies for pediatric allergic rhinitis, potentially improving patient outcomes and quality of life without increasing adverse events.