Evaluation of Pediatric Massage in the Treatment of Allergic Rhinitis in Children

The purpose of this clinical trial is to evaluate the effectiveness of pediatric tuina (traditional Chinese pediatric massage therapy) in children with allergic rhinitis, aiming to provide an effective, non-invasive treatment option. This study will last for 12 weeks. If you meet the eligibility criteria, agree to participate, and sign the informed consent form, you will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: the treatment group or the control group. Random assignment is similar to a dice roll, giving you a 50% chance of being placed in either group.

Participants in the treatment group will receive pediatric tuina in combination with standard Western medical treatment. Participants in the control group will receive only the standard Western medical treatment. At the beginning of the trial, a pediatrician will collect your medical history and basic information. In addition, a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) practitioner will conduct a meridian energy assessment and perform a TCM diagnostic evaluation (including the Four Diagnostic Methods and Heat Syndrome Assessment), which will take approximately 20 minutes. A research assistant will help administer a 22-item nasal symptom questionnaire and an allergic rhinitis quality of life questionnaire, which will take about 10 minutes. During the 12-week treatment period, follow-up assessments will be conducted twice-once at week 4 and again at the end of the treatment period in week 12. Both follow-ups will include the meridian energy test, TCM diagnostic evaluation, and allergic rhinitis questionnaires. Throughout the 12-week trial, participants in the treatment group will receive pediatric tuina therapy once a week. Each session will last approximately 15 minutes and will be conducted by a licensed TCM practitioner on a treatment table in the clinic.

The pediatric tuina treatment in this study will primarily focus on regulating the Bladder Meridian (dorsal fascia), Stomach Meridian (abdominal fascia), and the Lower Jiao (pelvic region). The techniques used are based on the Formless Qi Manipulation Tuina method developed by Master Chen Ming-Tang.

The treatment sequence begins with the "Swimming Belt to Search for Food" technique, which is used to relax the upper and middle segments of the spine, release tension in the paraspinal muscles, and correct spinal distortions. This is followed by the "Scooping Water to Splash the Face" technique to loosen the lower spine and pelvic region, helping to restore balance and alignment in the pelvis. Finally, the "Master Pulling the Spinning Top" technique is used to regulate the tibia, thereby improving gait and correcting imbalances in the pelvis and spine caused by improper walking posture.

The goal of this tuina treatment is to restore the body's structural balance. By adjusting muscles, tendons, ligaments, and fascia back to their proper alignment, qi and blood can circulate smoothly throughout the body. This supports the TCM principle that "when vital qi is strong, pathogenic factors cannot invade," thereby promoting a healthy internal environment.

The Meridian Energy Analysis Device (MEAD) is a computerized, non-invasive diagnostic tool commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine. It measures the activity level of the body's meridians and helps provide more accurate diagnostic insight from a TCM perspective. During the test, the practitioner will ask you to hold a testing probe while another probe touches 24 specific acupuncture points around the wrists and ankles. The assessment takes approximately 20 minutes to complete.