OBJECTIVETo compare the differences in the clinical efficacy on facial spasm among auricular acupuncture, acupuncture and western medication.

METHODSNinety cases of facial spasm were randomized into an auricular acupuncture group, an acupuncture group and a western medication group, 30 cases in each one. In the auricular acupuncture group, yan (LO), shenmen (TF), xin (CO), gan (CO), pi (CO), pizhixia (AT), chuiqian (LO), and zhen (AT) were selected. In the acupuncture group, Baihui (GV 20), Fengchi (GB 20), Sibai (ST 2), Xiaguan (ST 7), Chengqi (ST 1), Hegu (LI 4), Taichong (LR 3) and Zusanli (ST 36) were selected. The needling therapy was given once a day in these two groups and 5 treatments as one session. There were 2 days at intervals. Totally two sessions were required. In the western medication group, carbamazepine tablets were prescribed for oral administration, 0.1 g each time, three times a day, for 7 days as one session, and totally 2 sessions were required. The facial spasmodic intensity was observed before and after treatment in the three groups. The effects were compared among the three groups.

RESULTSAfter treatment, the facial spasmodic intensity was reduced as compared with that before treatment in all of the three groups (all<0.05). The result in the auricular acupuncture group was better than the other two groups (both<0.05). The result in the acupuncture group was better than that in the western medication group (<0.05). The total effective rates were 93.3% (28/30), 80.0% (24/30) and 53.3% (16/30) in the three groups separately. The efficacy in the auricular acupuncture group was better than either the acupuncture group or the western medication group (both<0.05). The result in the acupuncture group was better than that in the western medication group (<0.05). The efficacy in the cases with the diseases duration less than 6 months was significantly better than that in the cases with the diseases duration over 6 months (all<0.05). What's more, the efficacy of the auricular acupuncture group were the best.

CONCLUSIONSThe auricular acupuncture is quite optimal in the treatment of facial spasm. Its efficacy is better than that of routine acupuncture and carbamazepine. The efficacy is especially better in the cases with the diseases duration less than 6 months.