OBJECTIVETo compare the clinical therapeutic effects on intractable facial paralysis among acupuncture, acupoint catgut embedding and PDS embedding.

METHODSTwo hundred and seventy-nine patients of intractable facial paralysis were randomized into an acupuncture group, a catgut embedding group and a PDS embedding group, 93 cases in each one. Cuanzhu (BL 2), Yuyao (EX-HN 4), Taiyang (EX-HN 5), Xuanlu (GB 5), Dicang (ST 4), Jiache (ST 6), Quanliao (SI 18), Qianzheng (Extra), Xiaguan (ST 7) and Fengchi (GB 20) on the affected side and bilateral Hegu (LI 4) and Zusanli (ST 36) were selected in the three groups. In the acupuncture group, acupuncture was applied to those acupoints, once every two days; 10 treatments made one session; the successive three sessions were required. In the catgut embedding group and the PDS embedding group, catgut and PDS were embedded separately, once every 10 days; 3 treatments made one session and the successive two sessions were required. The therapeutic cycle was 2 months in the three groups. The therapeutic results were analyzed statistically 2 months later. The scores of Sunnybrook facial nerve grading system and the facial nerve electroneurography (ENoG) were used for the efficacy assessment before and after treatment in the three groups.

RESULTSAfter treatment, the score of Sunnybrook facial nerve grading system was improved apparently after treatment as compared with that before treatment in any of the three groups (all P < 0.05). The score in either of the embedding groups was better than that in the acupuncture group (both P < 0.05). The difference was not significant between the catgut embedding group and the PDS embedding group (P > 0.05). After treatment, ENoG wave ampli tude values in the frontal muscle and orbicularisoris muscle on the affected side were improved as compared with those before treatment in the three groups (all P < 0.05). Those in the catgut embedding group and the PDS embedding group were better than those in the acupuncture group (all P < 0.05), and had no significant difference as compared with those on the healthy side (P > 0.05). In the acupuncture group, ENoG wave amplitudes on the affected side were lower than those on the healthy side (both P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONAcupuncture, catgut embedding and PDS embedding at acupoints all achieve the therapeutic effects on intractable facial paralysis. However, the acupoint embedding therapy presents more advantages on the recovery of facial nerve function. The efficacy is similar between the catgut embedding and the PDS embedding.