Electric acupuncture plus fire acupuncture improves facial nerve function and anxiety state in patients with obstinate facial palsy

Abstract

One hundred and ten patients with obstinate facial palsy were randomly divided into study group and control group with 55 cases in each group. Both groups received electropuncture on face acupoints five times a week, the study group received additional acupuncture on Zhongzhen six acupoints, subsequently fire needles were used for Yangbai (GB 14), Quanliao (SI 18), Dicang (ST 4) and Jiachengjiang (Extra) acupoints twice a week. And the treatment courses lasted for four weeks. The House-Brackmann (HB) scale and Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) were used for evaluation of facial nerve function and anxiety status before and after treatment, respectively. One hundred and four cases completed the treatment in the two groups. Before treatment there were no significant differences in HB and SAS scores between study and control groups (Z=-0.271, P=0.79; Z=-1.689, P=0.09). After 4 weeks of treatment the HB and SAS scores in both group were significantly improved (Z=-5.652, Z=-5.038, all P<0.01; Z=-6.050, Z=-5.332, all P<0.01); however, there were significant differences in HB scale and SAS scores after treatment between two groups (Z=-2.066, Z=-2.884, all P<0.05). The electric acupuncture on face acupoints plus Zhongzhen six acupoints combined with fire acupuncture can effectively improve facial nerve function and anxiety state in patients with obstinate facial palsy. Key words: Facial paralysis; Fire needle; Zhongzhen six acupoints; Electroacupuncture; Anxiety