Augmentation effect of acupuncture on Bi’nao for hypophasis in patients with Bell’s palsy: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial
Li X, Chen C, Zhao C, Li Z, Liang W, Liu Z · Trials · 2018 June 11
DOI 10.1186/s13063-018-2699-z
Objective
To investigate the efficacy and safety of adding acupuncture at the Bi'nao acupoint to conventional acupuncture therapy for hypophasis in patients with Bell's palsy.
Conclusions
The study protocol proposes evaluating whether additional acupuncture at the Bi'nao acupoint improves hypophasis in patients with Bell's palsy, using Eye Crack Width Measurement and Eyelid Strength Assessment.
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Insights
This trial tests whether stimulating the Bi'nao acupuncture point improves incomplete eyelid closure after Bell’s palsy beyond conventional or placebo acupuncture.
Participants with persistent incomplete eyelid closure after Bell’s palsy were randomly assigned to conventional acupuncture alone, conventional acupuncture plus Bi'nao stimulation, or conventional acupuncture plus stimulation at a sham location. Eyelid function was assessed before and after treatment by measuring eye opening width and eyelid strength.
The study was designed to determine whether adding Bi'nao stimulation provides a specific benefit for eyelid movement compared with conventional acupuncture and placebo stimulation. It also evaluates treatment safety while using objective measures of eye opening and eyelid strength to address the difficulty of assessing incomplete eyelid closure.
