Effect of heat-sensitive moxibustion on facial function score in patients with facial paralysis

Objective

To observe and compare the therapeutic efficacies of heat-sensitive moxibustion plus Western medication, dry Western medication, and acupuncture plus TDP in treating peripheral facial palsy (FP).

Methods

Ninety FP patients were randomized into a Western medication group, a heat-sensitive moxibustion group, and an acupuncture group by using sealed envelope, 30 cases in each group. The Western medication group was intervened by conventional Western medication; the heat-sensitive moxibustion group was by heat-sensitive moxibustion in addition to the same Western medication; the acupuncture group was by the Western medication plus acupuncture and TDP radiation. For the three groups, 6-day treatment was taken as a treatment course, with a 2-day interval between 2 courses, and totally 4 treatment courses were observed.

Results

After intervention, the modified Portmann scores were changed significantly in the three groups (P<0.05), and the improvements in the heat-sensitive moxibustion group and the acupuncture group were both superior to that in the Western medication group. The recovery plus markedly effective rate of the acupuncture group was significantly different from that of the Western medication group (P<0.05), and there was a significant difference in comparing the recovery plus markedly effective rate between the heat-sensitive moxibustion group and acupuncture group (P<0.05).

Conclusion

Heat-sensitive moxibustion is effective in treatment peripheral facial paralysis, and this method is free of pain, causing no adverse reactions, and worth promotion in clinic.