Thread Embedding Acupuncture Research Articles

Adding thread-embedding acupuncture to auricular acupuncture enhances short-term weight reduction in overweight and obesity: A double-blinded, randomized, sham-controlled trial

BackgroundAuricular acupuncture (AA) has been widely used in overweight and obesity management due to its safety and effectiveness. The combination of other acupuncture therapies with thread-embedding acupuncture (TEA) has shown enhanced effects. However, there is a lack of evidence regarding AA plus TEA for overweight and obesity. This study was conducted to address this question. MethodsA randomized placebo-controlled trial was conducted involving 66 overweight or obese participants, divided into two groups: 33 received AA plus TEA, and 33 received AA plus sham TEA over eight weeks. The primary outcome was body weight (BW) reduction. Secondary outcomes included changes in body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC), hip circumference (HC), waist-hip ratio (WHR), food cravings questionnaire-trait-reduced (FCQ-Tr) and food craving visual analog scale (VAS) scores. Safety outcomes were adverse events (AEs). ResultsAfter eight weeks, BW decreased by a mean (SD) of -4.45 (1.29) kg and -2.05 (1.33) kg in the AA plus TEA and AA plus sham TEA groups, respectively (MD [95 % CI]: 2.40 [1.75; 3.05]). BMI, WC, WHR, and food craving VAS score decreased significantly more in the AA plus TEA group than in the AA plus sham TEA group. No significant differences were found in FCQ-Tr and HC between groups. Seven AEs were recorded that were mild and resolved without treatment. ConclusionThe addition of TEA to AA is a safe and effective management of overweight and obesity. Further studies should incorporate dietary and lifestyle modifications and follow-up after the intervention to assess long-term effectiveness. Trial registrationThe study protocol had been registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT06091761).

Current Status and Strategies of Thread Embedding Acupuncture on Face: A Survey of Korean Medicine Doctors

Current Status and Strategies of Thread Embedding Acupuncture on Face: A Survey of Korean Medicine Doctors

The role of thread embedding acupuncture in the management of nasolabial fold: A Case Report

Background: Aging occurs in all organs, including the skin. As the largest organ of the body, wrinkles on the skin show signs of aging that are visible and affect appearance. Thread embedding acupuncture (akupunktur tanam benang/ATB) is one of acupuncture methods used in various cases, including aesthetics. This case report describes the role of ATB in the management of nasolabial folds (NLF).
 Case Illustration: A 45-year-old woman came complaints of deep and long smile lines. On physical examination, the NLF length (measured with digital vernier caliper) right/left: 34.15/30.3 mm; Wrinkle severity rating scale (WSRS) right/left: 3/3. ATB was given once and the results were observed until week 12. The best results were obtained at week 12 of follow-up (NLF: 22.00/21.46 mm; WSRS: 2/2)
 Conclusion: NLF improvement in ATB is getting better over time. Further clinical trials are needed to determine the effectiveness of ATB in improving NLF.
 Keywords: Thread embedding acupuncture; Wrinkle; Aesthetic acupuncture

The effectiveness of thread embedding acupuncture in reducing wrinkles at nose and mouth

Beauty need is a growing demand these days; thus, the search for non-invasive beautifying methods that effectively and safely reduce the wrinkles on the face is of great need. Thread embedding acupuncture (TEA) has been proven to be effective in rejuvenating the facial skin and consists of advantages such as little invasion, few side-effects. The study was a single-arm pre-post study, 20 female volunteers, aged 35-60. TEA is conducted on Daying (ST5), Jiache (ST6), Dicang (ST4), Yingxiang (LI20), and Hegu (LI4) with mono-filament Polydioxanone (PDO). The participants were monitored and evaluated after 1, 2 and 3 months. The variables are Nasolabial fold (NF), Marionette line (ML), Alexiades-Armenakas laxity scale (AALS), Global aesthetic improvement scale (GAIS). Both sides NF, ML and AALS after 1 month TEA, 2 months TEA, 3 months TEA compared to pre-intervention showed decrease of statistical significance. NF, ML of both sides after 1 month TEA, 2 months TEA compared to the previous 1 month showed decrease of statistical significance. However, after 3 months, compared with 2-month threshold, difference has no statistical significance. AALS after 2 months and 3 months TEA, differences have no statistical significance. There were 17 persons “improved” (85%), 3 persons “unchanged” (15%) according to GAIS. No side effect of any kind was recorded. This research proved TEA method is effective on the acupuncture points that the research used in facial wrinkle reduction treatment. However, a RCTs (Randomized Controlled Trial study) is needed to confirm effectiveness.

Effectiveness and safety of thread embedding acupuncture for drug-resistant epilepsy outpatient in Viet Nam: a two-arm parallel design, randomized, controlled clinical trial

People with drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE) are at high risk of sudden unexpected deaths and lower quality of life. Experiments showed thread embedding acupuncture (TEA) has a seizure-reducing effect; however, data on DRE has been limited. This trial aimed to establish the efficacy and safety of TEA in people with DRE. This was a two-arm, randomized controlled trial conducted on 30 DRE outpatients, which was fulfilled drug-resistant International League Against Epilepsy. The study was conducted at the Epilepsy clinic, Nguyen Tri Phuong Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City, from December 2020 to March 2022. All procedures for TEA and sham TEA (STEA) groups were identical. Seizure frequency diaries at the baseline and monthly follow-up visits by the participants. The Quality of Life in Epilepsy Inventory (QOLIE-31) scores at the baseline and 16 weeks; the National Hospital Seizure Severity Scale (NHS3) scores at the baseline, 8 weeks, and 16 weeks and the adverse events at monthly follow-up visits by a researcher. A reduction in relative seizure frequency and the score change in QOLIE-31 and NHS3 in the TEA group were significantly different from the STEA group when analyzing each group separately (p<0.05). However, when comparing two groups, no significant difference was found in the change in seizure freedom and QOLIE-31 (p>0.05). Mild pain appeared in all participants after the intervention, but no serious adverse effects of TEA were observed. TEA is a safe technique to use in people with DRE. However, the effectiveness of TEA needs further study.

Effect on Satisfactory Seizure Control and Heart Rate Variability of Thread-Embedding Acupuncture for Drug-Resistant Epilepsy: A Patient-Assessor Blinded, Randomized Controlled Trial.

This randomized controlled trial investigates the efficacy of thread-embedding acupuncture (TEA) compared to sham TEA in treating drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE). Fifty-four DRE outpatients were randomly divided into two groups: TEA (27 patients) and sham TEA (27 patients). Both groups received four sessions of TEA or sham TEA, spaced four weeks apart, targeting GV20, GV14, BL15, BL18, ST40, and GB34 acupoints. Antiseizure medications were maintained at consistent doses throughout the study. Outcome measures included satisfactory seizure control, seizure freedom, and heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability (HRV) measurements. TEA demonstrated a significantly higher rate of satisfactory seizure control at follow-up compared to the sham TEA group (37% vs. 3.7%, p = 0.003). While no significant intergroup differences were observed in HR, HRV, and HRV components at each stage, the TEA group experienced a significant decrease in HR and a significant increase in HRV posttreatment. This study demonstrates TEA's effectiveness in managing DRE and suggests its impact may relate to heightened parasympathetic nerve activity. Further research with extended follow-up periods is necessary to validate these findings.

Thread-embedding acupuncture may improve symptom resolution in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease: A randomized controlled trial

BackgroundVarious traditional medicine treatments have been investigated to treat GERD. Among those, thread-embedding acupuncture (TEA) has the advantage that patients need to undergo the procedure infrequently; however, its efficacy is unclear. This study evaluated the efficacy of TEA in treating GERD. MethodsA randomized controlled trial was conducted with 66 participants with GERD: 33 received two sessions of TEA + standard therapy (proton-pump inhibitor [PPI]) (TEA+PPI group) and 33 received PPI alone (PPI group). Primary outcomes included GerdQ score and heartburn and regurgitation resolution. Secondary outcomes were antacids requirement, the Frequency Scale for Symptoms of GERD (FSSG) score, and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease-Health Related Quality of Life (GERD-HRQL) score. The safety outcome was adverse events (AEs). ResultsAfter four weeks of treatment, the TEA+PPI group significantly reduced the GerdQ score (mean difference [MD] and 95% confidence interval [CI]: -1.8 [-2.4, -1.1]) and increased the rate of heartburn and regurgitation resolution compared to PPI (54.5% versus 9.1%, respectively) compared to PPI. The TEA+PPI group also significantly reduced the number of antacid packs used (MD [95%-CI]: -9.4 [-12.1, -6.7]), FSSG score (MD [95%-CI]: -9.4 [-11.0, -7.8]), and GERD-HRQL score (MD [95%-CI]: -5.6 [-7.7, -3.5]) compared to PPI. Five patients experienced AEs, which were mild local complications at the acupoints. ConclusionTEA combined with PPI is more effective than PPI alone in treating GERD. Further studies with longer follow-ups are required to confirm these findings. Clinical trials registration informationThis study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT05353933.

The Effectiveness of Polydioxanone (PDO) Thread-Embedding Acupuncture in Adult Patients with Obesity: Case reports

Background: Obesity is a chronic condition defined as excess body fat which is diagnosed based on body mass index, abdominal circumference, and is associated with an increased risk of various diseases. Conservative management is often hard to comply with, unsuccessfully, and expensive, while acupuncture with its variety of modalities can be an option.
 Case: A therapy with polydioxanone thread embedding on acupuncture points along with other acupuncture modalities were performed in three cases of obese patients according to their etiology and conditions.
 Results: Based on the three cases of obese patients with PDO thread embedding acupuncture alone or combined with cupping, plum blossom and moxibustion modalities are beneficial in decreasing abdominal circumference. The effect after 2 months follow up respectively using abdominal circumference measurement 5 cm above the umbilicus -2 cm ( from 110 to 99cm);- 3 cm (from 90 to 87 cm); -8 cm (from 88 to 80 cm), umbilicus to umbilicus -6 cm (from 107 to 101 cm); 10 cm (from 103 to 93 cm); 7 cm (from 93 to 86 cm), 5 cm below umbilicus -1 cm (from 106 to 105 cm); -5 cm (from 107.5 to 102.5 cm); -6 cm (from 104 to 98 cm). No serious side effects occurred in the three cases.
 Conclusion: PDO thread embedding can be beneficial in treating obese patients. However, these results require further research.

Efficacy, Safety and Cost-Effectiveness of Thread-Embedding Acupuncture for Adhesive Capsulitis (Frozen Shoulder): A Study Protocol for a Multicenter, Randomized, Patient-Assessor Blinded, Controlled Trial.

The aim of the present study is to confirm the efficacy, safety, and cost-effectiveness of thread-embedding acupuncture (TEA) in the treatment of adhesive capsulitis (AC). This is a randomized, sham-controlled, patient-assessor blinded trial with two parallel arms in a 1:1 ratio. A total of 160 participants with AC, also known as frozen shoulder, will be recruited and screened according to the eligibility criteria. Those who meet the eligibility criteria will be randomly allocated to a TEA group or a sham TEA (STEA) group. Both groups will receive either real TEA or thread-removed STEA treatment on nine acupoints once a week for 8 weeks while being blinded to the intervention. The shoulder pain and disability index will be evaluated as a primary outcome measure. In addition, a 100-mm pain visual analogue scale, rotator cuff quality of life scale, European Quality of Life 5-dimension 5-level scale, treatment satisfaction, safety assessment, and economic evaluation will be assessed as secondary outcome measures. Outcome assessments will be conducted for a total of 24 weeks, including a treatment period of 8 weeks and follow-up of 16 weeks, according to the schedule. The results of this trial will provide a clinical basis for the efficacy, safety and cost-effectiveness of TEA in the treatment of patients with AC. KCT0005920 (Clinical Research Information Service of the Republic of Korea). Registered on 22 February 2021.

A narrative review of clinical studies on thread embedding acupuncture treatment for spasticity after stroke

Objectives: This study aimed to review clinical studies on thread embedding acupuncture (TEA) for the treatment of patients with post-stroke spasticity (PSS)Methods: Clinical studies related to TEA treatment for PSS were searched for in several electronic databases, including PubMed, Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, OASIS, and CNKI. After the selection/exclusion process, information on study design, disease, experimental/control group, intervention, outcome measurement, between-group differences, and adverse events was extracted.Results: A total of 13 randomized controlled trials were included in this review. The usual frequency of TEA treatment was once every 1-2 weeks, and the treatment most commonly included 4 sessions. In the dorsal area, EX-B2 and the acupoints in governing vessel meridian were commonly used. Acupoints in the meridian of the large intestine were most frequently used in the treatment of upper limb spasticity. Except for HT1, PC6, and PC8, all TEA points for treating PSS of the upper limb were on the Yang meridians. For the lower limb spasticity, the most frequently used acupoints were ST36, GB34, GB30, BL60, and BL57 on Yang meridians, and LR3, SP6, SP9, and SP10 on Yin meridians. TEA treatment showed better effects than conventional treatment for PSS in terms of spasticity, motor dysfunction, and activities of daily livings. Nevertheless, the absence of the follow-up observation, lack of sham TEA treatment, and low quality of the included studies necessitated caution in interpreting the results.Conclusions: The results of this review are expected to provide basic data on the modalities of TEA treatment for PSS and provide insights to facilitate well-designed studies in the future.

Analysis of Clinical Research Trends for Thread Embedding Acupuncture of Cervical Radiculopathy

In this study, the evidence of thread embedding acupuncture (TEA) in treating cervical radiculopathy in randomized controlled trials was investigated. We searched 16 databases up to August 22, 2022. Of the 2,644 studies retrieved, 22 randomized controlled trials (2,483 participants) were selected. Quality assessments were performed using Cochrane’s risk-of-bias tool and RevMan 5.4 software. Outcome measures in the included studies typically showed TEA had a significant therapeutic effect compared with simple acupuncture and other remedies, and TEA was better than sham TEA. Catgut and polydioxanone had no difference in effectiveness, however, catgut was considered to be less safe. TEA was shown to be more therapeutic when inserted deeper into the skin. Ultrasound guided TEA was more effective and safer than conventional TEA, and using a flat blade needle was better than conventional needles for TEA. No serious adverse events were reported from using TEA, and only a few mild side effects were observed. However, the limited number and heterogeneity of the included studies, together with the unclear methodological quality, indicate that higher-quality studies need to be conducted to determine the effectiveness and safety of TEA for cervical radiculopathy.

Clinical use of thread embedding acupuncture for facial nerve palsy: A web-based survey.

Although thread embedding acupuncture (TEA) is widely used for facial nerve palsy (FNP) in Korea, it lacks clinical evidence. Therefore, a large-scale and long-term clinical trial is needed. It is necessary to standardize and optimize TEA treatment for clinical study. Hence, we collected information about how TEA in the facial region is performed in clinical practice using a web-based survey. A questionnaire was developed consisting of 22 essential items and 30 optional items including demographic characteristics, purpose of TEA, adverse events (AE), direct medical cost, required time, and current state of TEA treatment on FNP. The questionnaire was sent via e-mail to 23,910 traditional Korean medicine doctors (TKMD). A total of 427 respondents answered the questionnaire. The most common response for the purpose for TEA was cosmetic, followed by musculoskeletal disease and nervous system disease. The most common AE that resolved without medical treatment was bruising (90.4%). The most common AE that required medical treatment was dimple (30.5). Many respondents commonly used TEA for the sequelae of FNP (71.8%). The most frequent sequelae of FNP for which TEA was used as contracture around the mouth (75.3%). The most preferred treatment method was insertion of 6-10 monofilament threads using a 29-gauge needle at intervals of 2.2 ± 1.59 weeks in the sequelae period. The results of this survey can be used to standardize and optimize the procedure of TEA for FNP for further clinical research.

Thread Embedding Acupuncture for Temporomandibular Disorder: Protocol for a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.

BackgroundTemporomandibular disorder (TMD) affects multiple tissues of the temporomandibular joint complex and manifests as orofacial pain and functional disturbance. While thread embedding acupuncture (TEA) is used for the treatment of TMD in clinical practice, sufficient clinical evidence is lacking. This pilot trial will explore the feasibility of a confirmatory randomized controlled trial (RCT) by considering the efficacy, safety, and cost-effectiveness of TEA to address pain, function, and quality of life in patients with TMD.MethodsThis randomized, assessor-blinded, controlled trial will include two parallel arms. Thirty patients with TMD and temporomandibular joint pain more severe than 40 mm on the 100-mm visual analog scale (VAS) and aged 19–70 years will be recruited and randomly allocated to either TEA or usual care groups. The TEA group will receive treatment at 14 predefined acupoints once weekly for 4 weeks. The usual care group will receive physical therapy consisting of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation and infrared therapy. The average VAS score over the last week for temporomandibular pain after four sessions will be assessed as the primary outcome. Furthermore, maximum pain VAS, vertical opening movement, Graded Chronic Pain version 2, Jaw Functional Limitation Scale 20, Patient Global Impression of Change, Korean version of Beck’s Depression Index, Short Form-12 Health Survey, EuroQol 5-Dimension 5-level, treatment expectation, rescue medication consumption, adverse events, and medical costs for economic evaluation will be measured and analyzed as secondary outcomes during four follow-up visits and after the termination of all sessions.ConclusionThe results of this trial will help evaluate the feasibility of a confirmatory RCT considering efficacy, safety, and cost-effectiveness and verify the effect size required to determine an appropriate sample size.Trial Registration NumberKCT0007421.

Appraising the safety and reporting quality of thread-embedding acupuncture: a protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis

IntroductionThread-embedding acupuncture (TEA) is a special type of acupuncture treatment in which medical threads are inserted into subcutaneous tissues or muscles at therapeutic points. TEA is a medical practice that...

Efficacy and safety of thread embedding acupuncture for knee osteoarthritis: A randomized controlled pilot trial

Background:Thread embedding acupuncture (TEA) is a widely used clinical procedure for the treatment of musculoskeletal pain. However, few clinical studies have been conducted on the efficacy and safety of TEA for knee osteoarthritis (KOA), and data from randomized controlled trials are lacking. This randomized controlled pilot study aimed to assess the feasibility of conducting large-scale studies on the efficacy and safety of TEA for KOA.Methods:Forty participants were included in the study and randomly divided into 2 groups (TEA and acupuncture) of 20 each. The intervention period was 6 weeks. The experimental group received TEA once a week (total of 6 sessions) on 14 defined knee areas, and the control group received acupuncture twice a week (total of 12 sessions) on 9 defined acupuncture points. The primary outcome measure was the visual analogue scale score, and the secondary outcome measures were the short-form McGill pain questionnaire, and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index scores. Participants were assessed prior to the intervention (baseline) and at 3, 6, and 10 weeks (4 weeks after the end of intervention). The adverse effects of TEA and acupuncture were documented. Hematological examination and biochemical tests were performed at the screening and at 6 weeks.Results:Of the 40 participants, 37 completed the study and 3 participants dropped out. Both the TEA and acupuncture groups showed a significant improvement in the visual analogue scale, short-form McGill Pain Questionnaire, and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index scores in a time-dependent manner. However, there was no significant interaction between group and time. No serious adverse events were reported in the groups, and no clinically significant changes were observed in the hematological and biochemical parameters.Conclusion:This pilot study suggests that TEA is a safe and effective procedure for relieving pain in patients with KOA. The results of this study provide basic data and indicate the feasibility of large-scale clinical studies to evaluate the efficacy and safety of TEA for KOA.

Adverse Events of Thread Embedding Acupuncture for the Musculoskeletal Conditions and Diseases: A Narrative Review of Clinical Studies

This study aimed to analyze the status of adverse events (AEs) in the treatment of musculoskeletal conditions/ diseases using thread embedding acupuncture (TEA). Five electronic databases were searched to retrieve data on clinical studies published in the last 5 years (2016 to 2021). Of the 151 studies retrieved, 22 studies analyzed AEs and were selected for this review. There were no AEs reported in 6 studies (27.3%); of the remaining 16 studies, 4 studies (18.2%) reported AEs that were not related to TEA. The most common AEs reported in the Chinese studies were redness of skin with/without swelling and tingling sensation, and in the Korean studies they were stiffness, a foreign body sensation, and bruising. The percentage of patients with AE experience was 5.1% in the Chinese studies and 19.9% in the Korean studies. The discrepancies between the findings in the Chinese and Korean studies may be attribute to differences in the diameter of needles, thread materials, TEA treatment procedure, and evaluation methods for AEs. Most of the reported AEs were of a mild status and did not last for a long time. However, further research on the clinical course after TEA treatment is needed.

Thread embedding acupuncture for herniated intervertebral disc of the lumbar spine: A multicenter, randomized, patient-assessor-blinded, controlled, parallel, clinical trial

Backgroundand purpose: Although several studies have reported that thread embedding acupuncture (TEA) is effective for lumbar herniated intervertebral disc (LHIVD), the evidence remains limited because previous studies had a high risk of bias. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of TEA for LHIVD through a rigorously designed trial. Materials and methodsThis was a randomized, patient-assessor-blinded, sham-controlled trial. Participants were screened according to eligibility criteria, and 70 patients with LHIVD were randomly allocated to the TEA and sham TEA (STEA) groups in a 1:1 ratio. Both groups received TEA or STEA treatment at 23 acupoints once per week for eight weeks. Changes in low back pain, radiating pain, Oswestry disability index, Roland–Morris disability questionnaire, EuroQol 5–Dimensions 5–Levels, and global perceived effect were measured at baseline and at 4, 8, 12, and 16 weeks after screening and compared between the two groups. ResultsTEA showed no significant difference in all outcomes compared to STEA immediately after eight weeks of treatment. After an additional eight weeks of follow-up, TEA showed a more significant effect on the low back pain than STEA (p < 0.05) and showed a better tendency in maintaining or enhancing the improvement of radiating pain, function, and quality of life even after the end of treatment. No serious adverse events were observed. ConclusionTEA is effective in improving low back pain in patients with LHIVD and may help improve function and quality of life, especially in the long term.

An Economic Evaluation of Thread Embedding Acupuncture for the Treatment of Lumbar Herniated Intervertebral Disc in a Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

Background: Lumbar herniated intervertebral disc (LHIVD) is a frequently presented condition/disease in Korean medical institutions. In this study, the economics of thread embedding acupuncture (TEA) was evaluated in a randomized controlled trial comparing TEA with sham TEA (STEA).Methods: This economic evaluation was analyzed from a limited social perspective, and the per-protocol set was from a basic analysis perspective. The cost-effectiveness analysis was based on the change in visual analog scale score, and the cost-utility analysis was based on the quality-adjusted life years. The final results were expressed as the average cost-effectiveness ratio and incremental cost-effectiveness ratio, and furthermore sensitivity analysis was performed to confirm the robustness of the results observed.Results: The cost-effectiveness analysis showed that TEA was 9,908 won lower than STEA, while the decrease in 100 mm visual analog scale score was 8.5 mm greater in the TEA group compared with the STEA group (p &gt; 0.05). The cost-utility analysis showed that TEA was 9,908 won lower than STEA, while the quality-adjusted life years of TEA was 0.0026 years higher than STEA (p &gt; 0.05). These results were robust in the sensitivity analysis, but were not statistically significant.Conclusion: In treating LHIVD, TEA appeared to have cost-effectiveness and cost-utility compared with STEA. However, there were no significant differences between the groups in terms of cost, effectiveness, and utility indicators. Therefore, results must be interpreted prudently; this study was the 1&lt;sup&gt;st&lt;/sup&gt; to conduct an economic evaluation of TEA for LHIVD.

Thread Embedding Acupuncture and Complex Korean Medicine Treatment for Lumbar Spinal Stenosis with Degenerative Scoliosis: A Clinical Case Report

Lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) is a common degenerative spinal condition that can have unpredictable improvement and worsening of symptoms which include low back pain, radiating pain, claudication, and degenerative lumbar scoliosis affecting quality of life. In this study, thread embedding acupuncture (TEA) was used as a conservative treatment for LSS in combination with complex Korean medicine treatments (acupuncture, herbal medicines, and physical therapy). The treatment was evaluated using the numerical rating scale, walking distance and duration, and inclination of radiological lumbar scoliosis according to antalgic posture. TEA was performed 27 times between June 8, 2020, and March 16, 2021. The patient showed improvement in numerical rating scale score from 7 to 2, pain-free walking distance from 10 m to 900 m, and scoliosis inclination following treatment. The findings of this study suggest that TEA may be helpful in the treatment of LSS.

Efficacy and safety of thread embedding acupuncture for facial expression muscles atrophy after peripheral facial paralysis: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

BackgroundFacial expression muscles atrophy is one kind of sequelae after peripheral facial paralysis. It causes critical problems in facial appearance of patient as well as social and psychological problems. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Thread-embedding acupuncture (TEA) for the management of facial expression muscles atrophy after peripheral facial paralysis.MethodsThis is a patient-assessor blinded, randomized, sham-controlled trial. A total of fifty-six eligible patients will be randomly divided into TEA (n=28) and sham TEA (STEA) (n=28) groups. Both groups will receive TEA or STEA treatment at the frontal muscle and the depressor anguli oris muscle, at one predefined points once a week for eight weeks. Additionally, both groups will receive traditional acupuncture treatment at ten acupoints (GB20, LI4, LR3, GB12, ST7, SI18, LI20, BL2, SJ23, ST4) twice a week for eight weeks as a concurrent treatment. B-mode ultrasonography will be used to assess the changes in facial expression muscle thickness ratio of the affected/healthy side at baseline and at 10 weeks after screening, as the primary outcome. House-Brackmann Grade and lip mobility score will be measured and analyzed at baseline and 4, 8, 10, and 12 weeks after screening, as secondary outcomes.DiscussionThe study will compare TEA with sham TEA to explore the feasibility for TEA in improving facial expression muscles atrophy after peripheral facial paralysis.Trial registrationChinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR1900027170. Registered on 3 November 2019, http://www.chictr.org.cn/edit.aspx?pid=45173&htm=4