Effectiveness of focused ultrasound combined with Chinese herbal foot bath on allergic rhinitis

Objective To explore the effectiveness of Chinese herbal foot bath combined with focused ultrasound on allergic rhinitis. Methods A total of 240 allergic rhinitis patients who underwent minimally invasive treatment through focused ultrasound in the First Hospital of Wuhan from January 2016 to February 2018 were selected. According to the random number table method, they were divided into two groups (n=120): an observation group and a control group. The control group received conventional anti-inflammatory treatment and nursing care, while the observation group was additionally given foot bath. Both groups were compared for their therapeutic effectiveness, symptom scores, and the expression of interleukin-2 (IL-2), IgE, and IL-4. Results After two weeks of treatment, the obsesrvation group presented a remarkably higher effective rate than the control group (P<0.05). There was statistical difference in symptom scores between the two groups (P<0.05). After treatment, both group produced significantly lower levels of IL-4 and IgE and higher levels of IL-2 than those before treatment, and statistical difference was found between the two groups (P<0.01). After treatment, both group produced remarkable decreases in Th1 and Th2 cell percentages and Th1/Th2 ratio compared with those before treatment (P<0.05); the observation group produced remarkable decreases in Th1 and Th2 cell percentages and Th1/Th2 ratio than the control group (P<0.05). Conclusions Focused ultrasound combined with various Chinese herbal foot baths is effective to improve symptoms, which can reduce the levels of inflammatory factors, and stimulate the levels of immune regulatory factors.