Observations on the Effects of Different Frequencies of Acupuncture Treatments on Early Idiopathic Facial Neuritis

Objective To investigate the clinical effects of different frequencies of acupuncture treatments on early idiopathic facial neuritis.Methods Fifty-three patients with early idiopathic facial neuritis were randomly allocated,according to different frequencies of acupuncture treatments,to a treatment group of 28 cases and a control group of 25 cases.Both groups received acupuncture treatment.The treatment group was treated five times a week and the control group,three times a week.Pre- and post-treatment modified Portmann Scale scores and Secondary Defect Facial Paralysis Score of Stennert scores and post-treatment patients' satisfactions were compared between the two groups.The clinical therapeutic effects were evaluated.Results There was a statistically significant pre-/post-treatment difference in the modified Portmann Scale score in the two groups(P0.01).There were no statistically significant post-treatment differences in the modified Portmann Scale score,the Secondary Defect Facial Paralysis Score of Stennert score,the patient's satisfaction and the clinical therapeutic effect between the two groups(P0.05).Conclusion The efficacy of three acupuncture treatments a week is similar to that of five acupuncture treatments a week for early idiopathic facial neuritis.