Clinical effect of point-to-point acupuncture with electric stimulation of direct current induction for facial nerve paralysis

Abstract

Objective To observe the clinical effect of point-to-point acupuncture with electric stimulation of direct current induction for facial nerve paralysis. Methods A total of 65 patients with facial nerve paralysis were randomly divided into the observation group (n=33) and the control group (n=32). The control group received routine treatment, and observation group was received Dicang (ST4)-to-Jiache (ST6) and Yangbai (GB14)-to-Taiyang (EX-HN5) by acupuncture with electric stimulation of direct current induction combined with conventional western medicine. The treatment of both groups last 3 weeks. The House- Brackmann Scale and the BR indexe at baseline and after 3 weeks treatment were observed. Results After treatment, The clinical effect of observation group was 66.7%, which was significantly higher than control group 43.8% (U=2.175, P=0.013). After treatment, House-Brackmann facial nerve scale (Ⅰ level=15 cases, Ⅱ level=4 cases, Ⅲ level=3 cases) in the observation group was significantly better than that in the control group (Ⅰ level=5 cases, Ⅱ level=7 cases, Ⅲ level=2 cases; U=2.069, P=0.018). After treatment, R1 latency (12.28 ± 2.55 ms vs. 13.84 ± 3.07 ms, t=2.227) and R2 latency (32.28 ± 7.08 ms vs. 35.95 ± 5.11 ms, t=2.396) in the observation group were significantly shorter than those in the control group (P=0.030, P=0.020). Conclusions The point-to-point acupuncture with electric stimulation of direct current induction could reduce latency of R1 and R2 for facial nerve paralysis, and improve the clinical effect. Key words: Neuritis; Face; Pulse electroacupuncture therapy; Point ST4(Dicang); Point ST6(Jiache); Point GB14(Yangbai); Point EX-HN5(Taiyang)