Bell's palsy strikes suddenly, leaving many unable to move their face. For those with severe paralysis, recovery can be slow and frustrating. A new trial looked at whether adding a specific needle technique to standard electroacupuncture could speed things up for these patients.
The study involved 220 people with Bell's palsy, split into groups based on how severe their paralysis was. Those with severe symptoms received standard electroacupuncture plus a second needle technique. The other group received only the standard treatment. Everyone was followed for 24 weeks.
For people with severe paralysis, the extra needle technique made a clear difference. They recovered faster and had higher cure rates by week 24. Muscle activity also improved more quickly in this group. However, for patients with moderate paralysis, both treatments worked equally well. No new safety issues were reported, though a few people in both groups stopped the treatment early.