WITHDRAWN: Analysis of the efficacy of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation for neuromodulation in early Bell’s palsy: A prospective randomized controlled study

Abstract

BackgroundThe current main treatment modality for Bell’s palsy (BP) is medication; however, some patients have a poor recovery or experience sequelae despite receiving medication. There is therefore an urgent need to explore new treatment modalities. We conducted this study to evaluate the efficacy of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) for neuromodulation in early BP. MethodsSeventy-four patients with BP were randomly assigned to a stimulation (n = 36) or control (n = 38) group. Patients in both groups were treated with conventional medication; the stimulation group also received high-frequency rTMS for 2 weeks. Patients were followed up for a minimum of 9 months. Facial function was assessed in patients at baseline, post-treatment, and follow-up using the Facial Nerve Grading System (FNGS) 2.0. ResultsThere was a significantly larger decrease in FNGS 2.0 scores from before to after treatment in the stimulation group (7.08 ± 2.371) than in the control group (5.03 ± 2.615) (p = 0.001; decrease of 2.057, 95% confidence interval 0.898–3.216). Furthermore, the recovery time of cured individuals at follow-up was significantly shorter in the stimulation group than in the control group (Z = 2.157, p = 0.03), and the stimulated group had a lower complication rate than the control group (p = 0.026). ConclusionsrTMS-induced neuromodulation of the facial nerve trunk at the site at which it exits the mastoid foramen helps to promote the recovery of facial nerve function in BP patients, leading to earlier recovery and a reduced complication rate.