Randomized Study Acupuncture Is One of the

Randomized Study Acupuncture is one of the most popular alternative treatments in the world today. Traditionally the theory behind acupuncture indicates that there must be a threshold to generate the internal compound (de qi) to achieve the therapeutic effect. There had been several studies on the effects of acupuncture on facial pain, but there have been no randomized studies that investigate whether or not the notion of de qi must be met in the treatment of facial pain that occurs in Bell's palsy (a neurological condition).

Xu, Huang, Zhang, et al. (2013) performed the first such study. Study population. The population consists of those people diagnosed with Bell palsy. The sample came from 11 hospitals in China. However, the intended population is all patients with pain related diseases. The use of patients with Bell palsy for the sample was explained by the researchers due to degeneration of facial nerves not being an issue in these patients. Length of trial. The participants were recruited between October, 2008 and April, 2010.

The follow-up period continued until October, 2010 (follow-up was six months following treatment). Technically then, the study lasted two years; however, not all patients were recruited to the beginning of the study. 4. Data collection methods. Xu et al. (2013) stratified participants (n = 338) according to the interval between the onset of their palsy and the start of treatment and a score on the House-Brackmann scale, the scale designed to measure pain and paralysis associated with palsy.

Exclusion criteria included being younger than 18 or over 65 years of age; people who were illiterate; people with facial pain caused by other conditions/diseases; pregnant women; or people with a history of ulcer, hypertension, uncontrolled diabetes, liver or kidney dysfunction, mental illness, or other systemic diseases that would affect the treatment. Participants then were randomly assigned to the control group that received acupuncture without manipulation to achieve de qi (n = 171) and a treatment group that received acupuncture with the manipulation (n = 167). 5.

Outcome measures included a measure of facial nerve function (based on a neurological exam) and disability and quality of life skills (the Facial Disability Index and the Quality of Life score). 6. Results and conclusions. After the follow-up period it was determined that the participants in the treatment group had better facial function, less disability, and improved quality of life based on the outcome measures compared to the control group. Xu et al.

(2013) concluded that the stimulant effect of de qi had a greater therapeutic effect and was associated with better outcomes among patients with Bell palsy. 7. Ethical considerations. As with any such study the safety, confidentiality of the participants and the safety of the participants is a strong consideration. In this study the participants all gave informed consent prior to participation, the treatment was performed under the strictest of conditions and acupuncture was only performed by physicians with 10 years or more experience, and patients were followed by a medical team.

Confidentiality was maintained. An additional.