Scientific Research

From May 1, 2023, Janneke will perform her promotion research: ‘Acupuncture for Nasal Congestion in Allergic Rhinitis: An Open-Label, Randomized, Monocenter Trial (ANCAR Trial)‘.
62 patients are needed for this Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT). A six-week period acupuncture treatment protocol will be compared to a commonly used nasal spray. In the case you have a congested nose due to allergic rhinitis (allergy for pollen, dust mites, dogs, cats, etc.) and would like to participate, you can register directly by sending an e-mail to info@mermaidmedicine.com. The treatments are free of charge.
This RCT will be scheduled because of her PhD study at Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine (NJUCM) in China. NJUCM is a Double First-Class Discipline University and established in 1954. The results of the ANCAR Trial will be integrated in Janneke’s thesis. Supervisors for this research are professor Tianshu Xu and professor Peilin Sun. The independent medical expert of the ANCAR Trial is dr. Menno Gaastra, working in the Noordwest Ziekenhuisgroep and Centrum Oosterwal in Alkmaar. Dr. Kazem Nasserinejad, statistician at HOVON Data Center and Erasmus MC, will analyze the research results. The research protocol is examined positively by METC Brabant and registered at ClinicalTrials.gov in the USA and the CCMO in the Netherlands.

A sponsorship is created to be able to finance this research: Acupuncture for Nasal Congestion in AR. You also can sponsor directly on the bank account of Mermaid Medicine: NL68 INGB 0007 5280 33 citing ANCAR Trial. Every donation counts! Thank you!!!

The ANCAR Trial is sponsored partly by the Dutch Acupuncture Association (NVA) as their opinion is that this scientific initiative contributes to acupuncture in the Netherlands. Docsave has already delivered all needed Cloud & Dragon® acupuncture needles, NonDolens® medical gloves and acuBox® needle containers without charge!

SCHEDULE ANCAR TRIAL 

INTAKES WEEK 1 WEEK 2 WEEK 3  WEEK 4
Acu 1 Spray Acu 2 Acu 3 Acu 4 Acu 5 Acu 6
1-17 May 22-23 May 24 May 25-26 May 30-31 May 1-2 June 8-9 June 15-16 June

 

WEEK 5 WEEK 6 Follow UP 1 Follow UP 2
Acu 7 Final spray Acu 8 Spray Acu Spray Acu
22-23 June 28 June 29-30 June 12 July 13-14 July 30 August

31 August-
1 September

Inclusion criteria

In order to be eligible to participate in this study, a subject must meet all of the following criteria:

  • Diagnosed AR by a physician.
  • Have one of the AR types: seasonal (SAR) or perennial (PAR) or mixed (MAR) allergic rhinitis.
  • VAS nasal congestion: from 3-10.
  • Age: from 18 years.
  • Signed Informed Consent.

Exclusion criteria
A potential subject who meets any of the following criteria will be excluded from participation in this study:

  • COVID-19.
  • Acute common cold.
  • Influenza.
  • Fever (38°C or higher).
  • Acute nasal trauma (such as a fracture and epistaxis).
  • Irreversible nasal blockages (such as septum deviation, concha bullosa, polyps and cysts).
  • Nasal and sinus cancer.
  • Pregnancy or planning for pregnancy.
  • Consumed decongestions, antihistamines, antibiotics or corticosteroids within 2 weeks before the RCT.
  • Received acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine or another complementary treatment within 2 weeks before the RCT.
  • Received immunotherapy within 2 weeks before the RCT.
  • Patients refusing or unable to sign Informed Consent.

In the case you would like to participate this research you need to read the Patienteninformatiebrief carefully and sign the Informed Consent (Appendix B).