Effect of Penetration Electroacupuncture Combined with Intermediate Frequency Electrotherapy, Facial Acupoint Massage, and Cervical Reduction on Facial Nerve Function and Curative Effect of Senile Refractory Facial Paralysis

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore the curative effects on senile refractory facial paralysis treated by penetration electroacupuncture combined with intermediate frequency electrotherapy, facial acupoint massage, and cervical reduction on facial nerve. METHODS: 106 elderly patients with intractable facial paralysis that were retrospectively analyzed were all admitted from January 2019 to June 2020. The 106 patients were evenly divided into 2 groups according to the treatment method. The control group was treated with penetration electroacupuncture, while the observation group was treated with penetration electroacupuncture plus intermediate frequency electrotherapy + facial acupoint massage + cervical reduction treatment. Then, House–Brackmann (H-B) facial nerve function evaluation, RPA score, TCM syndrome score, disease remission rate, and incidence of adverse events were evaluated and compared between the two groups. RESULTS: After 4 weeks of treatment, the H-B facial nerve function grading in the observation group was better than that in the control group (P < 0.05). And the disease remission rate after 1 week, 2 weeks, and 4 weeks of treatment was higher than that in the control group (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, the TCM syndrome score and RPA score after 2 weeks and 4 weeks of treatment were better than that in the control group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: For the elderly patients with refractory facial paralysis, the application of the combined treatment that penetration electroacupuncture + medium frequency electrotherapy + facial acupoint massage + cervical adjustment can significantly improve the facial nerve function and reduce various diseases, and the effect of this combined treatment plan is more significant than that of penetration electroacupuncture treatment.