Objective:

To systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety of intradermal acupuncture (IA) as a potential therapeutic intervention for ocular surface disorders (OSDs) secondary to refractory peripheral facial palsy (RPFP).

Approach:

• Study Design: A pilot, single-center, two-arm randomized controlled trial with 78 participants allocated to either the IA group or sham acupuncture (SIA) group.
• Intervention: Participants in the IA group will receive intradermal acupuncture treatment, while the SIA group will receive sham treatment with placebo needles over a 4-week period.
• Outcome Measures: Primary outcome: ≥ 12-point reduction in Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) score. Secondary outcomes include assessments of ocular surface function, paralytic lagophthalmos measurement, and facial nerve grading.

Key Findings:

• RPFP can lead to severe ocular surface disorders, significantly affecting patients' quality of life.
• Current treatments for OSDs secondary to RPFP are limited and often ineffective.
• Intradermal acupuncture may provide a novel therapeutic approach for managing these conditions.

Interpretation:

Limitations:

• The study is limited to a single center, which may affect the generalizability of the findings.
• The trial's duration may not capture long-term effects of IA treatment.

Conclusion:

Sources:

• ClinicalTrials.gov