Effect of Acupuncture at the Muscle Region of Meridians plus Tuina on Facial Nerve Function in Peripheral Facial Paralysis / 上海针灸杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To observe the effect of acupuncture at the muscle region of meridians plus tuina on facial nerve function in peripheral facial paralysis. Method Sixty patients with peripheral facial paralysis (recovery stage) were randomized into a treatment group (intervened by acupuncture at the muscle region of meridians plus tuina) and a control group (intervened by conventional acupuncture), 30 cases in each group. Result The facial nerve electromyography (EMG) showed that the action potential latency and amplitude were changed significantly after the treatment in both groups (P<0.05), indicating that the two methods were both effective in recovering facial nerve function, while acupuncture at the muscle region of meridians plus tuina produced a more significant treatment effect compared to conventional acupuncture. In the treatment group, same treatment with different intervention times produced significantly different effects on the Toronto facial grading system (TFGS) (P<0.05), indicating that the earlier the intervention, the more significant the therapeutic efficacy. Conclusion Acupuncture at the muscle region of meridians plus tuina can produce a more significant effect in recovering facial nerve function in peripheral facial paralysis compared to conventional acupuncture.