To observe the treatment of patients with wind-cold type peripheral facial palsy using acupuncture combined with bloodletting therapy based on meridian sinew theory.

A total of 120 patients with wind-cold type peripheral facial palsy treated at the Acupuncture and Physiotherapy Department of Zhengzhou Central Hospital from May 2022 to May 2024 were enrolled. They were randomly divided into an acupuncture group (sinew acupuncture therapy) and a combination group (sinew acupuncture combined with bloodletting at Yifeng acupoint), with 60 cases in each group. The acupuncture group received sinew acupuncture based on meridian sinew theory, with acupoint selection including: Quanliao (SI18), Cuanzhu (BL2), Sibai (ST2), Yangbai (GB14), Taiyang (EX-HN5), Dicang (ST4), Jiache (ST6), and Hegu (LI4). Subcutaneous longitudinal and transverse shallow needling was performed. In the combination group, in addition to the acupuncture points used in the acupuncture group, bloodletting therapy at Yifeng (TE17) was performed. The area around Yifeng acupoint was clamped with the thumb, index, and middle fingers of the left hand, pricked several times, followed by cupping on the pricked area. Five consecutive days of treatment constituted one course, with a 2-day interval between courses. A total of two courses were administered. After the two courses of treatment, the House-Brackmann (H-B) grading scale, Facial Disability Index (FDI), Portmann scale for peripheral facial neuritis, blink reflex, and facial electromyography parameters were observed in both groups before and after treatment to evaluate and compare the clinical efficacy.

After treatment, the FDI scale scores showed that the improvement in the physical function dimension (FDIP) score was significantly greater in the combination group than in the acupuncture group, while the decrease in the social function dimension (FDIS) score was more pronounced in the combination group, with statistically significant differences (P <0.05), indicating that the combined therapy had superior comprehensive improvement in patients' physiological function and social adaptability. The Portmann scale scores showed that the combination group had significantly higher scores than the acupuncture group (P < 0.05), indicating better improvement in facial nerve function in the combination group. The latencies of the orbicularis oris muscle, orbicularis oculi muscle, and nasalis muscle were significantly shortened in both groups compared with before treatment (P < 0.05). The latencies of the orbicularis oris muscle, orbicularis oculi muscle, and nasalis muscle in the combination group were significantly shorter than those in the acupuncture group (P <0.05). After treatment, the latencies of R1, R2, and contralateral R2' waves in both groups were significantly shorter than those before intervention, and the combination group showed significantly shorter latencies than the acupuncture group, with statistically significant differences (P <0.05), indicating that the combination group had better efficacy in repairing facial nerve function.

Acupuncture combined with bloodletting therapy based on meridian sinew theory can effectively improve the clinical symptoms of patients with wind-cold type peripheral facial palsy. Both treatments have significant efficacy in patients with wind-cold type peripheral facial palsy, but the combination of sinew acupuncture and bloodletting at Yifeng acupoint is superior to acupuncture alone. This combined therapy can reduce nerve inflammation, improve local blood circulation, repair damaged nerve fibers, regulate nerve excitability, better promote the recovery of facial nerve function.