Effect of Acupuncture on Clinical Symptoms of Patients with Intractable Facial Paralysis: A Multicentre, Randomized, Controlled Trial.
10.1007/s11655-025-4135-z
- Author:
Hong-Yu XIE
1
;
Ze-Hua WANG
2
;
Wen-Jing KAN
2
;
Ai-Hong YUAN
3
,
4
;
Jun YANG
1
;
Min YE
2
;
Jie SHI
1
;
Zhen LIU
1
;
Hong-Mei TONG
1
;
Bi-Xiang CHA
1
;
Bo LI
5
;
Xu-Wen YUAN
6
;
Chao ZHOU
7
;
Xiao-Jun LIU
8
Author Information
1. Second Department of Acupuncture Rehabilitation, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230031, China.
2. Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230038, China.
3. Second Department of Acupuncture Rehabilitation, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230031, China. yuanah2023@
4. com.
5. Second Department of Acupuncture Rehabilitation, Shuguang Hospital Anhui Branch Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230031, China.
6. Department of Acupuncture, Bozhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Bozhou, Anhui Province, 236800, China.
7. Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, North District of the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China.
8. Bozhou Vocational and Technical College, Bozhou, Anhui Province, 236800, China.
- Publication Type:Multicenter Study
- Keywords:
Anzhong Facial Paralysis Precision Scale (Eyelid Closure Grading Scale);
House-Brackmann Grading Scale;
acupuncture;
intractable facial paralysis;
medical infrared thermal imaging device
- MeSH:
Humans;
Acupuncture Therapy/methods*;
Facial Paralysis/therapy*;
Female;
Male;
Middle Aged;
Adult;
Treatment Outcome;
Acupuncture Points;
Aged
- From:
Chinese journal of integrative medicine
2025;31(9):773-781
- CountryChina
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the clinical effect and safety of acupuncture manipulation on treatment of intractable facial paralysis (IFP), and verify the practicality and precision of the Anzhong Facial Paralysis Precision Scale (Eyelid Closure Grading Scale, AFPPS-ECGS).
METHODS:A multicentre, single-blind, randomized controlled trial was conducted from October 2022 to June 2024. Eighty-nine IFP participants were randomly assigned to an ordinary acupuncture group (OAG, 45 cases) and a characteristic acupuncture group (CAG, 44 cases) using a random number table method. The main acupoints selected included Yangbai (GB 14), Quanliao (SI 18), Yingxiang (LI 20), Shuigou (GV 26), Dicang (ST 4), Chengjiang (CV 24), Taiyang (EX-HN 5), Jiache (ST 6), Fengchi (GB 20), and Hegu (LI 4). The OAG patients received ordinary acupuncture manipulation, while the CAG received characteristic acupuncture manipulation. Both groups received acupuncture treatment 3 times a week, with 10 times per course, lasting for 10 weeks. Facial recovery was assessed at baseline and after the 1st, 2nd and 3rd treatment course by AFPPS-ECGS and the House-Brackmann (H-B) Grading Scale. Infrared thermography technology was used to observe the temperature difference between healthy and affected sides in various facial regions. Adverse events and laboratory test abnormalities were recorded. The correlation between the scores of the two scales was analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficient.
RESULTS:After the 2nd treatment course, the two groups showed statistically significant differences in AFPPS-ECGS scores (P<0.05), with even greater significance after the 3rd course (P<0.01). Similarly, H-B Grading Scale scores demonstrated significant differences between groups following the 3rd treatment course (P<0.05). Regarding temperature measurements, significant differences in temperatures of frontal and ocular areas were observed after the 2nd course (P<0.05), becoming more pronounced after the 3rd course (P<0.01). Additionally, mouth corner temperature differences reached statistical significance by the 3rd course (P<0.05). No safety-related incidents were observed during the study. Correlation analysis revealed that the AFPPS-ECGS and the H-B Grading Scale were strongly correlated (r=0.86, 0.91, 0.93, and 0.91 at baseline, and after 1st, 2nd, and 3rd treatment course, respectively, all P<0.01).
CONCLUSIONS:Acupuncture is an effective treatment for IFP, and the characteristic acupuncture manipulation enhances the therapeutic effect. The use of the AFPPS-ECGS can more accurately reflect the recovery status of patients with IFP. (Trial registration No. ChiCTR2200065442).
