Acupoint embedding therapy demonstrates higher effective rates and cure rates for intractable facial paralysis compared to manual acupuncture and electroacupuncture.
A systematic review of existing databases like PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and several others was conducted, with an aim to identify randomized controlled trials that study the impact of Acupoint embedding therapy on intractable facial paralysis. Language restrictions were not considered and the search was carried out up to February 2024. Two reviewers independently performed data extraction and analysis. The quality of evidence was evaluated using the Risk of Bias tool (version 2.0) and a meta-analysis was carried out using RevMan software.
The review included eighteen randomized controlled trials involving a total of 1881 patients. The study found that acupoint embedding therapy showed higher effective rates and cure rates when compared to manual acupuncture. The same held true when compared to electroacupuncture, except that there was no significant difference in facial nerve function scores found. There were also no significant differences in adverse reactions between acupoint embedding and electroacupuncture therapy. The study points out that most evidence in support of the efficacy and safety of acupoint embedding treatment is insufficient at the moment.
