ABSTRACT
Objective: To evaluate the clinical efficacy of tube moxibustion plus point-toward-point needling method for refractory facial paralysis. Methods: A total of 100 patients with refractory facial paralysis who met the inclusion criteria were randomized into an observation group and a control group, with 50 cases in each group. Both groups were treated with acupuncture by point-toward-point needling method, mainly in the affected eye, cheek and mouth areas. The observation group was given additional tube moxibustion after receiving the point-toward-point needling method, which inserted a tube moxibustion device into the external acoustic meatus 1 cm on the affected side for 20 min. Both groups were treated once a day, 6 times a week, for 4 consecutive weeks. The House-Brackmann scale was scored before and after treatment, and the facial nerve electromyogram data were collected. Results: The total effective rate of the observation group was 93.6％, which was higher than 64.6％ of the control group, and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant (P<0.05). The proportion of new-onset facial paralysis complications (facial synkinesis, facial spasm, facial paralysis perversion, and crocodile tears) in the observation group was 6.4％, which was lower than 35.4％ in the control group. The difference between the two groups was statistically significant (P<0.05). In the observation group, the numbers of cases after treatment with the ratio of action potential amplitude between the affected side and the healthy side increased by 10％-30％ and over 30％ were more than those in the control group. And the difference between the two groups was statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusion: Tube moxibustion plus point-toward-point needling method has a better effect in improving symptoms of refractory facial paralysis, decreasing the incidence of sequelae, and increasing clinical efficacy than the point-toward- point needling method alone.
ABSTRACT
Objective To observe clinical efficacy of treating acute facial neuritis with routine acupuncture treatment and tube moxibustion therapy. Methods Totally 100 cases were divided into observation group (50 cases) and control group (50 cases) with random number table method. Both groups were treated with acupuncture on accupoints of Yifeng (SJ17), Dicang (ST4), Jiache (ST6), Xiaguan (ST7), Yingxiang (LI20), Taiyang (EX-HN5), Cuanzhu (BL2) of affected side, Hegu (LI4) of unaffected side. On the basis of routine treatment, observation group was given electronic tube moxibustion therapy, inserting the ipsilateral external auditory canal about 1 cm and waiting for burning out, 20 min each time. Control group received TDP to irradiate ipsilateral ear, 20 min each time. Treatment for both groups were once a day, 5 times as a treatment course, 2 d between each course, for 4 courses. House-Brakmann facial nerve functional index, temperature differences on face and retroauricular skin and ear pain duration were observed. Clinical efficacy was evaluated. Results One and two cases were lost in observation group and control group, respectively. The total effective rate of clinical efficacy was 91.67% (44/48) in the observation group and 75.51% (37/49) in the control group, with statistical significance (P<0.05). Compared with before treatment, House-Brakmann facial nerve functional index in both groups improved (P<0.05), and the observation group was better than the control group (P<0.05). Compared with before treatment, temperature differences on face and retroauricular skin in both groups decreased, and the observation group was better than the control group (P<0.01). The ear pain duration in the observation group was shorter than the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion Tube moxibustion therapy combined with routine acupuncture can improve the symptoms of acute facial neuritis and promote clinical efficacy.
ABSTRACT
[Objective]Although warm-tube moxibustion is easy-to-use in acupuncture therapy, the timing of moxa removal varies among practitioners. In the present study, we used near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) to compare effects of different durations of moxibustion stimulation on improvement in local circulation as measured by changes in blood oxygenation dynamics in muscle tissue.<BR>[Methods]Twelve healthy adults underwent warm-tube moxibustion with a single cone applied to the upper right shoulder region;measurements of tissue blood oxygenation dynamics (ΔOxy-Hb, ΔTotal-Hb) were obtained at intervals of 0.5 s. Control measurements were first taken for 15 min without intervention (Control);then, subjects received moxibustion 2 min after the start of measurement and had the moxa removed at the following time points: 30 s after patients experienced heat pain (Removal 30, moxibustion group); 45 s after heat pain (Removal 45, moxibustion group);or did not have the moxa removed (Continuous moxibustion group). These 4 different conditions were compared. Additionally, we determined the burning temperature of moxa and the skin temperature and intensity of heat pain sensation at the site of moxibustion.<BR>[Results]Compared with the Control, the Removal 30, Removal 45, and Continuous moxibustion groups had significant increases in ΔOxy-Hb, ΔTotal-Hb, and skin temperature, with no significant differences among the moxibustion groups. No significant difference in the intensity of heat pain sensation was observed among the moxibustion groups. All moxibustion groups began to show rapid increases in both ΔTotal-Hb and ΔOxy-Hb around the time when subjects began to feel heat pain, suggesting that the axon reflex evoked by noxious stimuli of heat pain increased blood volume and arterial blood flow.<BR>[Conclusion]Hemodynamic improvement in muscle tissue through the use of continuous warm-tube moxibustion for 30 s or longer after the occurrence of heat pain was confirmed.