SciELO - Scientific Electronic Library Online

 
vol.36 issue4The Nursing Staff’s Role in Modifying the Level of Information in Diabetic Aged AdultsIntervention Strategy for Improving the Quality of Life in the Aged Adult author indexsubject indexarticles search
Home Pagealphabetic serial listing  

Services on Demand

Journal

Article

Indicators

  • Have no cited articlesCited by SciELO

Related links

  • Have no similar articlesSimilars in SciELO

Share


Revista Cubana de Medicina General Integral

Print version ISSN 0864-2125On-line version ISSN 1561-3038

Abstract

MARTIN BARCELO, Nayela et al. Acupuncture and Neural Therapy for Treating Bell’s Palsy. Rev Cubana Med Gen Integr [online]. 2020, vol.36, n.4, e1253.  Epub Dec 01, 2020. ISSN 0864-2125.

Introduction:

The effectiveness of alternative therapies for treating Bell's palsy is still controversial.

Objective:

To report the experience in the treatment of Bell's palsy through joint administration of acupuncture and neural therapy.

Methods:

Information was collected from 30 patients with Bell's palsy, who received a weekly session of acupuncture and neural therapy jointly and were assessed using the House-Brackmann scale for 12 weeks.

Results:

80% (24) of the patients continued treatment until week 12 and, at the end of the week, none reached normal motor function. Only 6 patients (25%) showed signs of recovery between weeks 6 and 12. Thus, the percentage of patients with grade IV decreased from 6 (20%), during the initial evaluation, to 3 (12%), during week 9 (p<0.001); while the percentage of patients with grade III decreased from 12 (50%), during week 9, to 9 (38%), during week 12 (p=0.663). Adverse effects were evidenced in 9 (32%) patients, including hematoma at the puncture site and syncope, which was solved without complications.

Conclusions:

Joint administration of acupuncture and neural therapy for at least six weeks had modest effects on the recovery of patients with Bell's palsy, without producing major adverse effects.

Keywords : Bell’s palsy; acupuncture; neural therapy; treatment; adverse effects.

        · abstract in Spanish     · text in Spanish     · Spanish ( pdf )