[Comparison of therapeutic effects between plum-blossom needle tapping plus cupping and laser irradiation in the treatment of acute facial palsy patients with concomitant peri-auricular pain].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the therapeutic effects of plum-blossom needle therapy with cupping and laser irradiation in the treatment of acute facial paralysis with ipsilateral peri-auricular pain.
METHODS: Sixty outpatients with acute facial paralysis and ipsilateral peri-auricular pain were divided into plum-blossom needle (treatment) group (n = 28) and laser-irradiation (control) group (n = 32). In the acute stage, patients of the treatment group were treated with plum-blossom needle tapping in combination with cupping at Yifeng (TE 17) and Wangu (GB 12), while those of the control group treated with He-Ne laser irradiation over the same two acupoints until the peri-auricular pain disappeared. The treatment was given once daily. Following disappearance of the pain, routine acupuncture treatment of Yifeng (TE 17), Wangu (GB 12), Dicang (ST 4), etc. was given continuously to patients of the two groups, once daily for 20 times. The treatment times for healing ipsilateral peri-auricular pain, and the electromyogram (EMG, compound muscle action potential) of the ipsilateral musculus orbicularis oris were recorded. Scores of the facial nerve function were given to House-Brackmann Facial Nerve Grading System.
RESULTS: The treatment times for healing peri-auricular pain in the treatment group and laser irradiation group were 2.9 +/- 1. 0 and 6.0 +/- 2.2 respectively (t = 6.816, P = 0.000). The scores of House-Brackmann scale of the paralyzed side in the treatment group and control group were (3.3 +/- 1.5) points and (3.3 +/- 1.4) points (P > 0.05) before the treatment; (1.8 +/- 1.1) points and (2.5 +/- 1.2) points (P < 0.05) one month after the treatment, and (1.5 +/- 0.9) points and (2.2 +/- 1.5) points (P < 0.05) three months after the treatment, respectively. The amplitude ratios of compound muscle action potential between the affected side and the healthy side in the treatment group and control group were (52.1 +/- 20.5)% and (51.2 +/- 22.6)% (P > 0.05) during the first two weeks after onset, and (79.2 +/- 11.3)% and (69.8 +/- 17.9)% (P < 0.05) three months after the treatment, respectively.
CONCLUSION: Plum-blossom needle tapping plus cupping is significantly superior to that of He-Ne laser irradiation in reducing the treatment sessions for relieving peri-auricular pain during acute stage, and improving facial and muscular functions in the treatment of acute facial paralysis patients.

RCT Entities:   Population Interventions Outcomes