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Evidence based acupuncture practice recommendations for peripheral facial paralysis.
1Department of Acupuncture and Moxibusion, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 610075, China. zhhui126@yahoo.com.cn
The American Journal of Chinese Medicine
|February 18, 2009
Summary
This study recommends a standard acupuncture protocol for peripheral facial paralysis (PFP). Key acupoints, manual or electro-acupuncture with moxibustion, and specific treatment durations are outlined for effective PFP management.
Area of Science:
- Traditional Chinese Medicine
- Neurology
- Clinical Research
Background:
- Peripheral facial paralysis (PFP) is a common neurological disorder affecting facial nerve function.
- Standardized treatment protocols for PFP using acupuncture are lacking.
- High-quality randomized controlled trials (RCTs) offer insights into effective therapeutic approaches.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze acupuncture treatments in high-quality RCTs for PFP.
- To identify common therapeutic strategies and similarities in treatment.
- To recommend a standardized acupuncture procedure for PFP.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature search of Chinese and English databases (MEDLINE, EMbase, etc.) for RCTs on PFP acupuncture treatment.
- Independent review and selection of 33 relevant RCTs from 386 identified articles.
- Extraction of data on acupoint selection, stimulation methods, and treatment duration.
Main Results:
- Identified key acupoints for PFP treatment: Dicang (ST4), Xiaguan (ST7), Jiache (ST6), Chengjiang (CV24), Yingxiang (LI20), Quanliao (SI18), Yifeng (TE17), Yangbai (GB14), Sibai (ST2), Fengchi (GB20), Shuigou (GV26), Yuyao (EX-HN4), and Hegu (LI4).
- Recommended manual stimulation or electro-acupuncture combined with moxibustion.
- Suggested treatment frequency: once daily, 10 sessions per course, with 2-5 day intervals between courses, totaling 20-40 treatments.
Conclusions:
- A standardized acupuncture protocol for PFP can be established based on existing high-quality RCT evidence.
- The recommended protocol includes specific acupoints, stimulation techniques, and treatment schedule.
- This standardization aims to improve therapeutic consistency and outcomes for PFP patients.