Clinical Study Of The Acupuncture By "Semi Barbed Therapy (Kind Of Superficial Needling)" Method On Treating The Patients With Peripheral Facial Paralysis At Early Stage

OBJECTIVE:To compare the effect between electro-acupuncture with semi barbed therapy (kind of superficial needling)on peripheral facial paralysis at early stage according to the Traditional Chinese Medicine and Modern Acupuncture point Theory.METHODS:Totally 62 cases including 35 males and 27 females with peripheral facial paralysis at early stage were selected from the out patient service of Acupuncture department of Jiansu Province Chinese Traditional Medicine Hospital in Nanjing between April 2009 and January 2010. The patients were divided into two groups, one treated with electro-acupuncture and the second treated with semi barbed therapy (kind of superficial needling) according to the principle in Traditional Chinese Medicine of determination of treatment based on the differentiation of symptoms and signs.10±2 points were treated every time in semi barbed therapy on the affected side,filiform needle were punctured into the local area shallowly (0.1-0.2 inch) with gentle stimulation, do not lift and thrust the needle, and not insert the needle deeply.8±2 points were treated every time in electro-acupuncture.All the cases were treated once a day with the needles retaining for 30 minutes,10 times of treatment constitute one course. The patients were observed one month before and after self-comparison. Therapeutic effect were evaluated every 10 days (every course of treatment) and after finish treatment,using the House-Brackman Facial nerve grading system as a facial nerve function recovery evaluation.RESULTS:1. After 10 days of treatment for the semi barbed therapy group among 31 cases,21 cases were effective;the rate of total effectiveness was 76.74%. The electro-acupuncture group among 31 cases,12 cases were effective; the rate of totaleffectiveness was 38.71%.2. After 20 days of treatment for the semi barbed therapy group among 31 cases,8 cases were recovery,23 cases were effective, the rate of total effectiveness was 100%. The electro-acupuncture group among 31 cases,23 cases were effective; the rate of totaleffectiveness was 74.19%.3. After 30 days of treatmentertainment for the semi barbed therapy group among 31 cases,22 cases were recovery, the rate of total cure was 70.97%.The electro-acupuncture group among 31 cases,4 cases were recovery, the rate of total cure was 12.90%4. The relation between the treatment and the recovery shows:after 1 course of treatment the total rate of recovery for the two groups was 0%; after 2 courses of treatment the rate of total recovery for the semi barbed therapy was 21.85%, for the electro-acupuncture therapy was 0%; after 3 courses of treatment the rate of total recovery for semibarbed theraphy was 70.97% and for electro-acupuncture therapy was 12.9%.(P<0.05).CONCLUSION:Through clinical observation, it is found that for semi barbed group therapy at the acute stage the curative rate 70.97% is much better than that of electro-acupuncture group therapy 12.9%. It is fully indicated that appropriate acupuncture treatment at the acute stage will not cause aggravation of the condition, but can improve the recovery of facial nerve and acute stage is the right time for acupuncture treatment for peripheral facial paralysis. The earlier, the better.