OBJECTIVETo find out a method for increasing clinical therapeutic effect on Bell palsy at acute stage.

METHODSNinety cases of Bell palsy were randomly divided into an observation group, a control group I and a control group II, 30 cases in each group. They were treated respectively with acupuncture plus exercise therapy, simple acupuncture therapy, and simple exercise therapy, and their therapeutic effects were observed.

RESULTSThe cured rate was 66.7% in the observation group, 53.3% in the control group I and 46.70% in the control group II, the observation group being better than the two control groups (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONAcupuncture by stage combined with exercise therapy can increase the therapeutic effect on Bell palsy at acute stage, and it is a better therapy for Bell palsy.

Acupuncture Therapy ; Bell Palsy ; therapy ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Exercise Therapy ; Facial Paralysis ; Humans

OBJECTIVETo investigate the adverse effects of acupuncture on the prognosis, and effectiveness of acupuncture combined with far infrared ray in the patient of acute Bell's facial paralysis within 48 h.

METHODSClinically randomized controlled trial was used, and the patients were divided into 3 groups: group A (early acupuncture group), group B (acupuncture combined with far infrared ray) and group C (acupuncture after 7 days). The facial nerve functional classification at the attack, 7 days after the attack and after treatment, the clinically cured rate of following-up of 6 months, and the average cured time, the cured time of complete facial paralysis were observed in the 3 groups.

RESULTSThere were no significant differences among the 3 groups in the facial nerve functional classification 7 days after the attack, the clinically cured rate of following-up of 6 months and the average cured time (P > 0.05), but the cured time of complete facial paralysis in the group A and the group B were shorter than that in the group C (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe patient of acute Bell's facial paralysis can be treated with acupuncture and moxibustion, and traditional moxibustion can be replaced by far infrared way.

Acupuncture Therapy ; Bell Palsy ; therapy ; Facial Paralysis ; therapy ; Humans ; Moxibustion ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of different acupuncture frequency and duration of needle retention on idiopathic facial paralysis, and optimize the acupuncture treatment plan. METHODS: A total of 140 patients were randomized into a group A (37 cases, 3 cases dropped off), a group B (35 cases, 3 cases dropped off), a group C (34 cases, 1 case dropped off) and a group D (34 cases, 1 case dropped off). Under the same basic treatment, acupuncture intervention time (day 8 of morbidity), acupoint selection [Cuanzhu (BL 2), Yangbai (GB 14), Taiyang (EX-HN 5), Yingxiang (LI 20), Jiache (ST 6), Dicang (ST 4) on the affected side, Chengjiang (CV 24) and Hegu (LI 4) on the unaffected side] and electroacupuncture intervention, different acupuncture interval time and duration of needle retention were applied. In the group A, the treatment was given 20 min once a day, while the group B 30 min once a day, the group C 20 min once every 2 days, the group D 30 min once every 2 days. Totally 20-day treatment were required. The House-Brackmann (H-B) facial nerve function grading system was used to evaluate the improvement of clinical symptom, the situation and latency periods of the R1 wave in blink reflex and facial nerve motor conduction before and after treatment were observed in the 4 groups. RESULTS: After treatment, the cured rates in the 4 groups were 44.1% (15/34), 46.9% (15/32), 57.6% (19/33) and 51.5% (17/33), there was no significant difference among 4 groups (>0.05). The situation and latency periods of the R1 wave in blink reflex and latency periods and amplitude of facial nerve motor conduction after treatment were improved in the 4 groups (<0.01, <0.05), there was no significant difference among 4 groups (>0.05). CONCLUSION Acupuncture 20 min once a day, 30 min once a day, 20 min once every 2 days and 30 min once every 2 days have significant effect on the recovery of idiopathic facial paralysis, and the effect is comparable.
Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Bell Palsy ; therapy ; Electroacupuncture ; Facial Paralysis ; therapy ; Humans ; Treatment Outcome

The specific therapeutic regimen of Bell's palsy was proposed in association with the common refractory factors and the clinical experience of professor -. It is viewed that aging, absent intervention standard treatment at early stage, no prodromal symptoms and progressive onset are the refractory factors. Acupuncture at the local area is predominated in treatment. The different acupoint prescription regimens of acupuncture therapy are selected depending on muscle relaxation, muscle stiffness and specific accompanying symptoms, associated with electric stimulation, moxibustion and the tapping technique with plum-blossom needle so as to ensure the improvement of clinical therapeutic effect.
Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Bell Palsy ; therapy ; Facial Paralysis ; therapy ; Humans ; Moxibustion

OBJECTIVES: To compare the clinical effect on Bell's facial palsy in the acute stage between the staging comprehensive treatment with acupuncture-moxibustion and western medication. METHODS: Sixty patients with Bell's facial palsy in the acute stage were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, with 30 cases in each one. The patients in the control group were administered orally with prednisone acetate tablets and methylcobalamin tablets until the 28th day of illness. In the observation group, the staging comprehensive treatment with acupuncture-moxibustion was adopted. On the affected side, Qianzheng (EX-HN 16), Yifeng (TE 17), Sibai (ST 2), Yangbai (GB 14), Jiache (ST 6), Dicang (ST 4) and Touwei (ST 8), etc. were stimulated. In the acute stage (Day 1 to 7 of illness), the routine acupuncture and the point-toward-point needle insertion were delivered, no any manipulation was exerted at acupoints, and the needles were retained for 30 min. In the subacute stage (Day 8 to 14 of illness), on the base of the treatment as the acute stage, the depth of needle insertion was adjusted at a part of acupoints and the even needling technique was operated by twisting needle. Besides, electroacupuncture (EA) was attached to Qianzheng (EX-HN 16) and Dicang (ST 4), with continuous wave of low intensity and high frequency, 100 Hz, for 20 min. In the recovery stage (Day 15 to 28 of illness), on the base of the treatment as the subacute stage, the heavy stimulation of acupuncture was given, in which, the sticking and lifting needle techniques were delivered after the needles were inserted from Sibai (ST 2) toward Dicang (ST 4), and from Dicang (ST 4) toward Jiache (ST 6), separately; warm needling was operated at Yifeng (TE 17), and EA changed to stimulate the acupoints with the intermittent wave of high intensity and low frequency, 2 Hz, for 30 min. Acupuncture-moxibustion was given once every other day until the end of the 28th day of illness. The level of House-Brackmann facial nerve function rating scale (H-B grade),the score of Sunnybrook facial nerve grading system (Sunnybrook), the score of facial disability index (FDI), the temperature difference in the infrared thermal imaging facial area and electromyogram (EMG) situation of the affected muscle group were observed before and after treatment in the two groups. Using musculoskeletal ultrasound,the facial nerve diameter was detected and the clinical effect was compared between the two groups. RESULTS: After treatment, the level of H-B grade, Sunnybrook score, the scores of physical function and social life function in FDI were improved when compared with those before treatment in the patients of either group (P<0.01, P<0.05), and the results of these evaluations in the observation group were better than those of the control group (P<0.05). After treatment, the temperature difference of the frontal area, the eye area, the zygomatic area and the mouth corner was declined in comparison with that before treatment in the two groups (P<0.05), and the temperature difference in each area in the observation group was lower than that of the control group (P<0.05).The root mean square (RMS) of the frontal muscle group, the zygomatic muscle group and the orbicularis muscle group on the affected side increased in comparison with that before treatment in the two groups (P<0.01), and RMS of the observation group was higher than that of the control group (P<0.05) after treatment. Before treatment, the diameter of the facial nerve on the affected side was larger than that on the healthy side (P<0.01), and after treatment, the diameter on the affected side was reduced when compared with that before treatment in the two groups (P<0.01); the diameter of the facial nerve on the affected side in the observation group was smaller than that of the control group (P<0.05), while, the diameter on the affected side was larger when compared with the healthy side in the control group (P<0.05). The total effective rate of the observation group was 93.3% (28/30), higher than that of the control group (83.3% [25/30], P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS The staging comprehensive treatment with acupuncture-moxibustion is clearly effective on Bell's facial palsy in the acute stage, which affirms the effectiveness of acupuncture-moxibustion for the acute stage of Bell's facial palsy in comparison with conventional western medication.
Humans ; Facial Paralysis/therapy* ; Moxibustion ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Bell Palsy/therapy* ; Face

OBJECTIVETo observe clinical therapeutic effect of reinforcing method of acupuncture on Bell's palsy at restoration stage.

METHODSOne hundred and sixty cases were randomly divided into two groups: an observation group and a control group, 80 cases in each group. The observation group were treated by acupuncture with lifting-thrusting-twirling reinforcing method, and the control group by acupuncture without needling manipulation. The therapeutic effect, and changes of palsy index, degree of palsy and ENoG were observed.

RESULTSReinforcing method of acupuncture could significantly improve palsy index, degree of palsy and maximal wave amplitude of ENoG; the cured and markedly effective rate was 91.3% in the observation group and 75.0% in the control group with a very significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe reinforcing method of acupuncture can increase the therapeutic effect on Bell's palsy at restoration stage.

Acupuncture Therapy ; methods ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Bell Palsy ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged

OBJECTIVETo assess the clinical evidence for and against acupuncture as a treatment for Bell's palsy.

METHODSWe conducted a literature search of 15 databases from their inception to December 2010 without language restrictions. We included all randomized clinical trials (RCTs) regardless of their controls. Methodological quality was evaluated using the Cochrane risk of bias assessment tool.

RESULTSOf the 3 474 articles, only eight RCTs met our inclusion criteria. Four RCTs tested the effects of acupuncture against drug therapy on disease response rate. The meta-analysis of these data showed significant improvements in the acupuncture group [n=463, risk ratio (RR)=1.07, 95% CI: 1.02 to 1.13; P=0.006, I(2)=0%]. Six RCTs tested the effects of acupuncture plus drug therapy versus drug therapy alone. The meta-analysis of this set of RCTs also showed the favorable effects of acupuncture on disease response rate (n=512, RR=1.11, 95% CI: 1.05 to 1.17; P=0.001, I(2)=13%).

CONCLUSIONSThe evidence supporting the effectiveness of acupuncture for treating Bell's palsy is limited. The number and quality of trials are too low to form firm conclusions. Further rigorous RCTs are warranted but need to overcome the many limitations of the current evidence.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; adverse effects ; Bell Palsy ; therapy ; Humans ; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo explore non-invasive therapy for treatment of Bell palsy.

METHODSTwo hundred and seventy-six were randomly divided into two groups, a treatment group and a control group, 138 cases in each group. The treatment group were treated with non-invasive electrode pulse electric stimulation at Taiyang (EX-HN 5), Sibai (ST 2), Qianzheng (Extra), Dicang (ST 4), and the control group with routine medicine (prednisone, dibazol, vitamine B complex and Qianzheng Powder), once each day, 10 days constituting one course. After two courses, their therapeutic effects were compared.

RESULTSThe cured rate and the effective rate were 83.3% and 99.3% in the treatment group, and 48.5% and 88.4% in the control group respectively with a significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONNon-invasive electrode pulse electric stimulation at facial points has obvious therapeutic effect on Bell palsy.

Adult ; Aged ; Bell Palsy ; therapy ; Electroacupuncture ; methods ; Electrodes ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged

OBJECTIVE: To explore the correlation of the electric excitability treated with electroacupuncture (EA) at different acupoints and the prognosis of Bell's palsy, using the Logistic regression analysis. METHODS: A total of 93 patients of Bell's palsy were collected in the retrospective analysis. Acupuncture was applied to Cuanzu (BL 2), Yangbai (GB 14), Yingxiang (LI 20), Dicang (ST 4), Xiaguan (ST 7) and Qianzheng (Extra point) on the affected side. The electric stimulation was added at the three pairs of points, named Cuanzu (BL 2) and Yangbai (GB 14) (A group), Yingxiang (LI 20) and Dicang (ST 4) (B group) and Qianzheng (Extra point) and Xiaguan (ST 7) (C group), continue wave, 1 Hz at current frequency, for 30 min in one treatment. EA was given once every two days. The endpoint outcome evaluation was conducted when the facial nerve function was recovered completely after treatment or in 16 weeks after onset. On the 8th day of onset, the prognosis-related indexes were collected, such as the electric excitability grade in the A, B and C groups, gender, age, the facial nerve lesion segment and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The Logistic regression analysis was conducted on these indexes and the prognosis. RESULTS: The single factor Logistic regression analysis showed that the gender, age and the electric excitability of the C group were negatively correlated with the prognosis statistically (>0.05). T2DM, the facial nerve lesion segment and the electric excitability of the A and B groups were positively correlated with the prognosis statistically (<0.05). The multivariate Logistic regression analysis indicated that the electric excitability in the A and B groups was the independent predictor of Bell's palsy prognosis (<0.05). values were 8.410 (1.176-60.113) and 12.589 (1.355-116.922) respectively. CONCLUSION The electric excitability of EA at the pairs of Cuanzu (BL 2) and Yangbai (GB 14), and of Yingxiang (LI 20) and Dicang (ST 4) is one of the indexes for the prognosis evaluation of Bell's palsy. It contributes to the early identification of the severity of facial nerve lesion, the regulation of the therapeutic regimen and the improvement of the clinical effects.
Acupuncture Points ; Bell Palsy ; therapy ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; Electroacupuncture ; Facial Paralysis ; Humans ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies

BACKGROUNDBell's palsy involves acute facial paralysis due to inflammation of the facial nerve. Acupuncture and moxibustion (acu-moxi) is beneficial in treating facial palsy. In order to verify the efficacy of acu-moxi on Bell's palsy, a randomized single-blind, multicenter clinical trial was performed.

METHODSA total of 480 patients from four clinical centers were involved in this trial, of whom 439 completed the trial and 41 did not. All patients were randomly assigned to either the control group or to one of two treatment groups. The control group was treated with prednisone, vitamin B1, vitamin B12, and dibazole; the treatment groups were treated either with acu-moxi alone or in combination with prednisone, Vitamin B1, vitamin B12, and dibazole. Symptoms and signs, the House-Brackmann scale, and facial disability index (FDI) scores were assessed and determined both pre- and post-treatment to evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment methods.

RESULTSThe characteristics of the control and two treatment groups were comparable without statistically significant differences before treatment. There were significant differences between the control and treatment groups after treatment (chi(2) = 15.265, P = 0.018). According to evaluations based on the House-Brackmann scale and FDI scores, the effectiveness of treatment in the two treatment groups was better than in the control group and was most effective in patients receiving acu-moxi treatment alone (Z = -2.827, P = 0.005).

CONCLUSIONThe efficacy of acu-moxi treatment for Bell's palsy is verified scientifically.

Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Aged ; Bell Palsy ; therapy ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Moxibustion ; Treatment Outcome