Treatment of peripheral facial paralysis with acupuncture at Rényíng (人迎 ST 9) combined with stellate ganglion block:a randomized controlled trial

Objective To explore the best therapeutic method in the treatment of peripheral facial paralysis. Methods One hundred and twenty cases were randomized into a conventional acupuncture group [Yangbai （阳白 GB 24）, Sibai （四白 ST 2）, Yingxiang （迎香 LI 20）, etc.], a Renying （人迎ST 9） acupuncture group and an operation ＋ acupuncture group [acupuncture at ST 9 as the main acupoint and the stellate ganglion block （SGB）], 40 cases in each one. The treatment was given once a day, 7 treatments made one session. After 3 sessions of treatment, the latency and the amplitude of the direct stimulation evoked potential of the facial nerve （ENoG） were compared before and after treatment in three groups, as well as R2 and R2 values of blink reflex （BR）. The total clinical efficacy was assessed. Results The latency of ENoG was shortened and the amplitude was increased significantly in three groups. After treatment, ENoG latency was lower significantly in the operation ＋ acupuncture group as compared with that in the conventional acupuncture group （P〈0.05）. In the Renying （人迎 ST 9） acupuncture group, the amplitude of ENoG was increased as compared with P〈0.05）. After treatment in three groups, those in the other two groups （all R2 and R2 values were decreased significantly. The differences in R1 and R2 values in the Renying （人迎 ST 9） acupuncture group and the operation ＋ acupuncture group before and after treatment were bigger than those in the conventional acupuncture group （all P〈0.05）, and the difference in R2 value in the operation ＋ acupuncture group was bigger than that in the Renying （人迎 ST 9） acupuncture group （P〈O.05）. The clinical markedly effective and curative rate was 87.5% （35/40） in the operation ＋ acupuncture group, which was superior to 77.5% （32/40） in the Renying （）人迎 ST 9）acupuncture group and higher significantly than 65.0% （26/40） in the conventional acupuncture group （P〈0.05）. Conclusion Compared with the conventional acupuncture, the efficacy on peripheral facial paralysis is much better in the Renying （人迎 ST 9） acupuncture group and the operation ＋ acupuncture group. Moreover, the early reflex function of the damaged facial nerve is much better recovered in the operation ＋ acupuncture group as compared with that in the Renying （人迎 ST 9） acupuncture group.

Effect of three vertigo-stopping needles on neurohumor of patients with cervical vertigo:a controlled trial

Objective To observe the effect of three vertigo-stopping needles on the contents of neuropeptide Y （NPY）, endothelin （ET） and calcitonin gene-related peptide （CGRP） in plasma of patients with cervical vertigo, and to explore its mechanism of treatment. Methods One hundred and eighty patients with cervical vertigo were divided into group A [acupuncture at R6nyfng （人迎ST 9） and Fengchi （风池 GB 20）, and frontal line], group B [acupuncture at Jing jiaji （颈夹脊）, GB 20 and Baihui （百会 GV 20）] and group C [intravenous infusion with ligustrazine and oral administration with flunarizine] according to simple randomization, with 60 cases in each group. For the patients in group A and group B, the treatment was conducted once a day, and ten times were considered as one course of treatment. Two days were free of treatment between two courses, and two courses were needed. For the patients in group C, the treatment was conducted for fifteen days. The contents of NPY, ET and CGRP in plasma before and after treatment were detected in patients with cervical vertigo. Results The contents of NPY in plasma of patients in the three groups after treatment were markedly lower than that before treatment （all P〈0.01）, and the differences were not statistically significant when compared the descending degrees among three groups （P〉0.05）. The contents of ET in plasma of patients in the three groups after treatment were markedly lower than that before treatment （P〈0.05, P〈0.01）, the descending degree in group A was greater than that in group B and group C, and the difference was statistically significant （P〈0.O1, P〈O.05）; while the difference was not statistically significant when compared the descending degrees between group B and group C （P〉0.05）. The contents of CGRP in plasma of patients in the three groups after treatment were markedly higher than that before treatment （P〈0.05, P〈O.O1）, the increasing degree in group A was greater than that in group B and group C, and the difference was statistically significant （both P〈0.05）; while the difference was not statistically significant when compared the increasing degrees between group B and group C （P〉0.05）. Conclusion Three vertigo-stopping needles, acupuncture and medication can regulate the contents of NPY, ET and CGRP in plasma of patients with cervical vertigo, while three vertigo-stopping needles is significantly superior to acupuncture and medication in reducing ET and increasing CGRP.