ABSTRACT
Objective To compare the clinical efficacy of herbal ion application and penetration therapy applied in the dog days, or in both of the dog days and coldest days for the treatment of recurrent respiratory tract infection (RRTI) in children. Methods This intervention was designed as a multi-center, randomized, single-blind, repeated-measurement design. A total of 240 RRTI children were randomly divided into Sanfu group (N=120, herbal ion application and penetration therapy applied in the dog days) and Fujiu group (N=120, herbal ion application and penetration therapy applied in both of the dog days and coldest days). Each group was treated for one year and then was followed up for one year. Before and after the treatment, we observed the frequency of respiratory tract infection, the period of onset, signs and symptoms of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), and detected the salivary secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) at different time points. Results (1) The therapeutic effect of Fujiu group was better than that of Sanfu group, and the difference was significant (P<0.05). (2) The frequency of respiratory tract infection was reduced, the period of onset was shortened, and TCM signs and symptoms were improved in both groups, and the effect of Fujiu group was superior to that of Sanfu group (P<0.05). (3) Salivary sIgA showed a continuous upward trend in Fujiu group while a mild downward trend in Sanfu group at different time points (P<0.05). Conclusion Herbal ion application and penetration therapy applied in both of the dog days and coldest days shows better effect for the treatment of children RRTI than that applied only in the dog days.