Stratified analysis based on VAS scores to assess the effect of acupoint application therapy in children with chronic coughs of varying severity-a randomized controlled study

Methods In this randomized controlled trial, one hundred children with chronic cough were allocated to either a control group ( n = 50) receiving conventional bronchodilator and inhaled corticosteroid therapy, or an observation group ( n = 50) receiving conventional therapy plus acupoint application. Outcomes including cough symptom scores, Leicester Cough Questionnaire (LCQ), and visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain were assessed at baseline and after a 2-week intervention. The primary analysis employed multivariate regression to determine the independent effect of the intervention, adjusting for baseline scores and allergy history. Background This study explores the efficacy of acupoint application therapy in children with chronic coughs of varying severity. Results After treatment, both groups showed significant within-group improvements (all p < 0.001). However, inter-group comparisons revealed that the observation group achieved superior outcomes, with significantly lower post-treatment daytime cough scores (2.46 ± 0.28 vs. 2.68 ± 0.24, p < 0.001), nighttime cough scores (2.14 ± 0.36 vs. 3.04 ± 0.54, p < 0.001), and VAS scores (3.89 ± 1.35 vs. 5.52 ± 1.87, p < 0.001), alongside a higher LCQ score (15.61 ± 3.22 vs. 14.45 ± 3.17, p = 0.034). Multivariate analysis confirmed acupoint application as an independent factor associated with these improvements (adjusted mean difference for daytime cough: -0.21, p < 0.001) and a higher treatment response (adjusted odds ratio: 4.72, p = 0.007). Furthermore, within the observation group, patients with severe baseline pain exhibited a greater magnitude of improvement across all scores compared to those with mild pain (ΔVAS: 3.39 vs. 1.78, p = 0.017). The overall response rate was 85% in the observation group versus 81% in the control group ( p = 0.041). No adverse reactions were reported. Conclusion Acupoint application therapy is clinically effective in children with chronic coughs, with more pronounced efficacy observed in patients experiencing severe pain.