| Objective:Through clinical observations on the treatment for Peripheral Facial Paralysis (PFP) using the method of point-through-point acupuncture, this research aims at exploring its clinical curative effects on PFP. Basing on the TCM theories, this research provides evidence that when this special acupuncture method is applied to PFP patients, it can enhance the rate and speed of recovery.Method:In the clinical observations,60 qualified PFP patients were chosen from the Chow's Clinic in Hong Kong between March 2010 and January 2011. They were randomly divided into 2 groups, the Treatment Group and the Reference Group. Treatment Group:This Group uses Point-Through-Point Acupuncture. According to the situation of face muscles paralysis, specific acupoints were chosen by the principle of Point-Through-Point Acupuncture. The main acupoints of the paralyzed side are:GB14 through EX-HN4; SJ23 through EX-HN5; SI 18 through ST7; ST4 through ST6; ST2 through LI20; and GB12 through SJ17. Firstly, the patient lies down, facing upward. After standardised sterilization to the skin,0.25X40mm needles will be used to penetrate in for 5 mm, withdrawn to just beneath the skin and then slowly advanced through one acupoints to another at an angle of 15 degrees from the facial skin. Care must be taken to avoid over advancement of the needles so that they will not penetrate through the skins at the other end. When the patients get the needle sensation, the needles should remain in their positions for 30 minutes, excercising them every 10 minutes. After the treatment, withdraw the needles and press tight the entrant points to avoid bleeding. For Symptom acupoints:adds GB20 for wind-cold cases; adds LI11 and LI4 for wind-heat cases; and adds CV4 and CV6 for cases of weakness in Qi and blood. The treatments will be applied for one every other day,3 times a week with a course covering a period of 4 weeks. Reference Group:This Group uses traditional acupuncture with the selection of acupoints and the period of treatment same as the Treatment Group. Each acupoint is treated with one 0.25X25mm needle. When the patients feel the needle sensation, the needles will be kept in positions for 30 min.Result:Comparison of general informationThe Treatment Group has 19 male patients and 11 female patients, aged between 19 and 60, with PFP history ranging from 7 to 29 days. The Reference Group has 18 male patients and 12 female patients, aged between 20 and 58, with PFP history ranging from 8 to 27 days. Basing on the results of the Z test in respect of gender, showing no difference between the two groups for statistical purpose. The results of the t-test for age and decease history showing no difference between the two groups for statistical purpose, statistics indicate no significant difference between the basic elements and they are therefore comparable.Analysis on the total effectiveness of the two GroupsAmong the 30 patients of the Treatment Group,16 of them recovered fully (53%), 9 patients (30%) have sound effects,3 patients (10%) have some effects with 2 ineffective case (6.7%). The total effective rate is 93.3%. For the Reference Group, there are 11 full recovery (36.6%),7 patients (23.3%) have sound effects and 5 patients (16.6%) have some effects with 7 ineffective cases. The total effective rate is 76.6%. The Cross Tab test analysis demonstrates an apparent difference between the two groups (P<0.05) ie the curative effect of the Treatment Group is better than the Reference Group.Analysis on the total score of the signs and symptoms for PFPThrough the t-test, the scores for both groups before treatment have no significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05). It reflects that the two groups are comparable. After treatments, the scores from the t-test suggest P<0.05 for both groups with a significant difference between them. It reflects that both types of treatment are effective in addressing PFP and the effectiveness of the Treatment Group is better than the Reference Group. Opportune timing for treatment and comparison of curative effectsPatients are further divided into two groups with PFP history between 7 and 14 days (the 7-14 days group) and between 15 and 30 days (the 15-30day group). Through the t-test, the score for both groups before treatment has no significant difference between them (P>0.05). It reflects that the two groups are comparable. After treatments, the scores from the t-test suggest P<0.05 for both groups with a significant difference between them (P<0.05). It reflects that both types of treatment are effective in addressing PFP but shows that the earlier the acupuncture treatment starts, the better curative effect.Conclusion:Point through point acupuncture is a better method than the traditional acupuncture in treating PFP. This method allows one needle to stimulate multiple acupoints with less pain and strong stimulation. It provides an edge in respect of the precision in the choice of points, strong feelings, improvement to the signs and symptoms, increase of recovery rate and effective rate. It can also avoid the poisonous side effect of the western medicine or the latent danger of consequential deceases. This method is effective, economical, simple, and easily acceptable by patients. It should be promoted in the clinical application. |
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