[Herbal acupoint sticking combined with electroacupuncture therapy in the treatment of Bell's palsy: a randomized controlled trial].
OBJECTIVE
To observe the clinical efficacy and safety of electroacupuncture (EA) combined with herbal acupoint sticking in the treatment of Bell's palsy and provide optimizations for the clinic.


METHODS
One hundred and two cases of Bell's palsy were randomized into an EA combined with herbal acupoint sticking group (group A, 50 cases) and an EA group (group B, 52 cases), EA at Cuanzhu (BL 2), Yangbai (GB 14), Taiyang (EX-HN 5), Quanliao (SI 18),Xiaguan (ST 7), Yingxiang (LI 20), etc. were applied in both groups and "facial paralys No.I " was applied at Yifeng (TE 17) in group A, once daily and 10 times totally were needed. The score of facial nerve function, clinical efficacy were compared before and after treatment. At 1 and 3 month follow up visit, the quality of life scale( WHOQOL-BREF) and the occurrence of complication were observed.


RESULTS
The scores of facial nerve function in group A and group B were all significantly improved compared with those before treatment (48. 2+/- 2. 9 vs 25. 7 +/- 4. 9, 45. 9 +/- 6. 2 vs 25. 8 +/- 5. 5, both P<O. 01), the cured rate in group A [82.0% (41/50)] were significantly superior to that in group B [67. 3% (35/52)](P<0. 05); the difference of WHOQOL-BREF in both groups at 1 and 3 month follow up visit was not significant(all P>0. 05). The occurrence of complication in group A (1 case) was significantly less than that in group B (8 cases, P 0. 05).


CONCLUSIONS
Compared with EA, the combination of EA and acupoint sticking therapy for Bell's palsy cannot only improve the clinical efficacy and reduce the occurrence of complication but also reliable without any side effect.
Department of Acupuncture and Rehabilitation, Qingdao Hiser Medical Center, Qingdao 266033, Shandong Province, China. doctorqiqihua@163.com
Qi-Hua
QH
Qi
Department of Acupuncture and Rehabilitation, Qingdao Hiser Medical Center, Qingdao 266033, Shandong Province, China.
Shan-Shan
SS
Ni
Qingdao Institute for Drug Control, China.
You-Lan
YL
Wang
TCM Hospital of Zhangdian District of Zibo City, China.
Kai
K
Peng
Department of Acupuncture and Rehabilitation, Qingdao Hiser Medical Center, Qingdao 266033, Shandong Province, China.
He-Nian
HN
Qu
Department of Acupuncture and Rehabilitation, Qingdao Hiser Medical Center, Qingdao 266033, Shandong Province, China.
Cai-Hua
CH
Yang
Qingdao Institute for Drug Control, China.
Jin
J
Wang
Qingdao Institute for Drug Control, China.
Wei
W
Xi
D015669:Acupuncture Points; D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D020330:Bell Palsy / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D015671:Electroacupuncture; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal