This clinical trial is designed to evaluate the therapeutic effects of two EA parameter settings for Bell's palsy and to investigate the electromyographic characteristics of the disease. The main questions it aims to answer are:
* Can continuous pulse pattern and intermittent pulse pattern of EA improve the symptoms of Bell's palsy? * Do continuous pulse pattern and intermittent pulse pattern of EA impact the electromyographic characteristics of facial muscles in patients with Bell's palsy? The researchers will evaluate the effects of continuous pulse pattern and intermittent pulse pattern in treating Bell's palsy by using surface electromyography as an objective indicator of assessment. The trial lasts for 4 weeks and the treatment period lasts for 4 weeks.
Participants will:
* receive sham EA, EA with a continuous pulse pattern or EA with an intermittent pulse pattern for 3 times weekly for 4 weeks (12 sessions in total). * receive assessment of symptom severity and social functioning on Day 0, end of week 2, end of week 4.
diagnosed clinically as BP, with imaging evidence (brain CT and/or MRI) excluding central nervous system lesions associated with facial palsy
the disease duration of 21 days to 6 months, inclusive
age 18-70 years
voluntary participation and provision of written informed consent
facial paralysis caused by other diseases
have previous history of facial paralysis
present with facial muscle spasm, synkinesis or contracture
diagnosed as Ramsey-Hunt Syndrome
The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University
Lead sponsor
The Third Affiliated hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University
Collaborator