Clinical Efficacy Analysis of Acupuncture Treatment in the Acute Phase of Peripheral Facial Paralysis

Abstract

Peripheral facial paralysis, caused by damage to the lower motor neurons of the facial nerve, is a neurological disorder characterized by partial or complete loss of facial expression. It typically manifests suddenly with symptoms such as post-auricular pain, diminished taste, excessive tearing, difficulty speaking, and facial muscle twitching. Depending on the underlying cause, this condition can be categorized into spontaneous facial nerve palsy, peripheral facial paralysis induced by Guillain-Barré syndrome, and peripheral facial paralysis caused by brainstem lesions. Among these, the most common type is Bell’s palsy, which usually presents as sudden unilateral facial muscle paralysis. The incidence rate is approximately 20 to 40 cases per 100,000 people annually, with patients ranging in age from young to old, although it is most prevalent in those aged 20 to 40, and it tends to occur more frequently in men than in women. Conventional treatments for peripheral facial nerve paralysis include hormone therapy, antiviral medication, and surgical intervention. However, hormone therapy may not be effective for some patients due to its side effects, the efficacy of antiviral therapy remains controversial, and surgery is costly and may lead to postoperative complications. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) acupuncture therapy, with a long-standing history, has been widely used to treat such facial nerve disorders as documented in the "Huangdi Neijing · Suwen."