OBJECTIVETo probe into the optimal opportunity of electroacupuncture for treatment of peripheral facial paralysis.

METHODSOne hundred and twenty cases were randomly divided into group A and B, 60 cases in each group. The group A were treated by electroacupuncture and ultrashort-wave from the acute stage and the group B were treated by ultrashort-wave at the acute stage and ultrashort-wave plus electroacupuncture at the resting stage.

RESULTSThe cured and markedly effective rate was 85.0% and the total effective rate was 98.3% in the group A, and 68.3% and 91.7% in the group B respectively (P < 0.05); there was no significant difference between the two groups in abnormal myoelectrogram before treatment and at the 8th day (P > 0.05); but at the 30th day the number of cases in whom BR wave turned to normal or mild abnormal in the group A were more than those in the group B (P < 0.05), and the shortening of the latent period of M wave and increase of the wave amplitude were significantly better than those in the group B (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONElectroacupuncture at acute stage can significantly increase the cured and markedly effective rate, and the acute stage is the optimal opportunity for acupuncture treatment of peripheral facial paralysis.