Overview
Bell's palsy itself has a certain self-healing tendency. Therefore, it is recommended to leave a bit of Bell's palsy for self-recovery without treatment. If complete recovery is achieved after treatment, complications such as stiffness, contracture and even hemifacial inversion may occur as time moves. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the optimal end time of acupuncture for facial paralysis.
Description
This is a randomized, double-blind, controlled study, with a total of 120 eligible patients randomly divided into an observation group (n=60) and a control group (n=60). Both groups received facial acupuncture combined with infrared irradiation treatment, once a day,10 times as a course, and the next course of treatment will be carried out after a 5-day rest.The treatment duration for both groups will not exceed three months, with the observation group aiming for a Sunnybrook score of ≥83 and the control group aiming for a score≥95. The primary outcome measure is Sunnybrook scores at 6 months after onset compared with baseline. Secondary outcome measures included Sunnybrook Scores, electroneurography, blink reflex, Facial Disability Index, Self-Rating Depression Scale and Self-Rating Anxiety Scale.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria:
- Male or female patients aged 18-75 years.
- Patients diagnosed with peripheral facial paralysis≤7 days before screening and was the first time.
- All cases have symptoms and signs or have been examined by CT, MRI, etc., excluding peripheral facial paralysis caused by central nervous system diseases, ear diseases, and trauma.
- Those who voluntarily sign the Research Informed Consent Form
Exclusion Criteria:
- Patients with bilateral facial nerve palsy or recurrent facial nerve palsy (more than two occurrences).
- Pregnant or nursing patients.
- Patients with critically ill which is difficult to make a definite evaluation of the efficacy and safety of treatment
- Those who accept other treatment methods or cannot adhere to this plan, which affects the efficacy observation
