Therapeutic observation on superficial needling with different frequencies for intractable facial paralysis

Abstract

Objective: To obverse the therapeutic effect of superficial needling with different frequencies for intractable facial paralysis. Methods: A total of 120 patients with intractable peripheral facial paralysis were allocated into a superficial needling with high frequency group (150 times/min), a moderate frequency group (100 times/min) and a low frequency group (50 times/min) according to the random number table method. The Toronto facial grading system (TFGS) was used to evaluate facial nerve functions before treatment and after 2 weeks and 4 weeks of treatment respectively. The electromyography (EMG) test of the mandibular branch of facial nerve was used to compare the motor nerve conduction velocity (MCV), sensory nerve conduction velocity (SCV) and monophasic action potential (MAP) among different groups, and was done before treatment and after 4 weeks of treatment. The clinical efficacy was also compared. Results: After 2 weeks and 4 weeks of treatment, the changes of TFGS scores in the three groups all showed statistical significance (all P 0.05). The total effective rate was 65.0%, 80.0% and 95.0% in the high frequency group, moderate frequency group and low frequency group respectively, and the between-group differences showed statistical significance (P<0.05). Conclusion: Compared with the superficial needling with high and moderate frequencies, superficial needling with low frequency can produce more significant clinical efficacy for intractable facial paralysis.