[Observation on therapeutic effect of peripheral facial paralysis treated by string puncture combined with electroacupuncture].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effective treatment of peripheral facial paralysis. METHODS: Ninety-five cases of peripheral facial paralysis were randomly divided into an observation group (48 cases) and a control group (47 cases). In observation group, the acupoints located on paralyzed muscle, such as Yangbai (GB 14), Taiyang (EX-HN 5), Tongziliao (GB 1), Jiache (ST 6) and Dicang (ST 4), etc. were selected; string puncture was applied and the body of needles went through the muscular layer at 40 degrees-60 degrees angle with the direction of muscle fiber; Yangbai (GB 14), Taiyang (EX-HN 5) etc. were selected for electroacupuncture. In control group, the same acupoints and routine manipulations were applied. The clinical therapeutic effects, courses and the House-Brackmann (H-B) facial nerve function grading of both groups were compared. RESULTS: The total effective rate in observation group was 100.0% (47/47) which was superior to 93.6% (44/47) in control group (P < 0.01); the average effective, marked effective and cured durations of cured patients in observation group were much shorter than those in control group (all P < 0.01); the H-B facial nerve function grading of both groups were improved after treatment (all P < 0.01), and more significant in observation group (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: By string puncture therapy, peripheral facial paralysis is treated more effective than that by routine puncture, and the curative courses are obviously shortened.