Objectives:To observe the clinical effect on the sequela of peripheral facial paralysis treated with the penetrating-sticking-pulling technique of acupuncture.Methods:A total of 53 patients with the sequela of peripheral facial paralysis were diagnosed and divided into an observation group(26 cases)and a control group(27 cases)according to the visiting sequence.In the observation group,the penetrating-sticking-pulling technique of acupuncture was adopted.The Sibai(四白ST 2),Quanliao(颧髎 SI 18)and Jiache(颊车ST 6)et al.were needling toward Dicang(地仓ST 4)separately.The combined acupoints were selected according to clinical symptoms of individual patient.In the control group,the routine acupuncture was used,in which,ST 2,EX-HN 5,ST 7,ST 6,and ST 4 as well as Hegu(合谷LI 4)on the healthy side were selected.The treatment was given once every two days and a 7-treatment made one course.There were 3 days at interval between the courses.After 2 courses of treatment,the facial nerve function,e.g.,Hourse-Brackmann(H-B)grading,Sunnybrook score and clinical effect were observed.Results:①After treatment,H-B grading and Sunnybrook score were better than those before treatment in either of the observation group or the control group(P<0.05,P<0.01).H-B grading and Sunnybrook score were(2.23±0.64)and(96.62±2.59),respectively,in the observation group after treatment and they were(3.21±0.43)and(80.33±3.16)respectively in the control group.H-B grading and Sunnybrook score in the observation group were better than the control group,indicating the significant differences(P<0.05,P<0.01).②The curative rate and the total effective rate were 69.23%and 96.15%,respectively,in the observation group and they were 37.04%and 81.48%,respectively,in the control group,presenting the significant differences(both P<0.05).Conclusion:The penetrating-sticking-pulling technique of acupuncture achieves the definite effect on the sequela of peripheral facial paralysis and this therapy deserves to be promoted in clinical practice.
