Objectives: The purpose of this study is to investigate the acupotomy treatment for peripheral facial palsy by reviewing recent clinical trends and to contribute to standardized treatment methods.
Methods: Seven randomized controlled trials and six case series about acupotomy treatment on peripheral facial palsy that published after 2014 were searched through four foreign online databases(Pubmed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, CNKI) and five domestic online databases(OASIS, Science ON, RISS, DBPIA, KISS). The number and characteristics of subjects, main treatment points and other combination treatments, sizes of acupotomy needle, frequency and total periods of treatments, evaluation index, efficacy, and adverse events were analyzed.
Results: A total of 655 people participated in 13 studies. 'Tender point or induration', Infraorbical foramen and buccal mucosa were the most commonly used treatment points. The sizes of acupotomy varied from 20mm to 80mm in length and 0.35mm to 1.0mm in diameter. One treatment was performed at least every 3 days and at most every 5~7 days, and the number of treatments per one treatment session ranged from a minimum of 3 to a maximum of 5 to 9 times. The research results were evaluated on 1 to 4 evaluation indexes and in total of nine evaluation indexes were used. The efficacy rate was the most used, followed by House-Brackmann grade(H-B grade) and electrocardiogram(EMG). According to 'Risk of bias 2', most of studies were categorized into 'Some concerns'. There were few adverse events reported.