Observations on the Efficacy of Dong’s Extra Point Opposing Needling in Treating Facial Paralysis / 上海针灸杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of Dong’s extra point opposing needling in treating facial paralysis. Methods Ninety patients with facial paralysis were randomly allocated to treatment and control groups, 45 cases each. In addition to the basic medicine treatment, the treatment group received Dong’s extra point opposing needling and the control group, conventional acupuncture. Facial nerve function was scored using the House-Brackmann (H-B) Facial Nerve Grading System in the two groups of patients before and after treatment. The clinical therapeutic effects were compared between the three groups.Results There were statistically significant post-treatment differences in the H-B scores of various time points between the treatment and control groups (P<0.05). The total efficacy rate and the cure rate were 100.0% and 68.9%, respectively, in the treatment group and 100.0% and 48.9%, respectively, in the control group. There was a statistically significant difference in the cure rate between the two groups (P<0.05). The time needed for cure was (20.15±3.30) days in the treatment group and (28.41±4.92) days in the control group; there was a statistically significant difference between the two groups (P<0.05).Conclusion Dong’s extra point opposing needling plus medication is an effective way to treat facial paralysis.