Objective To compare the effect difference between the thermosensitive moxibustion(TSM)and conventional mild moxibustion(CMM)at Yifeng(TE 17)plus acupuncture intervention in the treatment of facial paralysis patients.Methods The prospective cohort study design was used in the present study.A total of 183 patients were divided into a thermosensitive moxibustion(regional heat penetrating

heat extending

warmer in deep-tissue

etc.)group(n=132)and a CMM group(n=51)according to the patientssubjective feeling to moxibustion stimulation of TE 17.After propensity score matching(PSM

a statistical matching technique of observational data)processing by using SPSS 19.0 software

outcomes of 33 cases in the TSM group and 33 cases in the CMM group were analyzed.In the 1 st course(10 days)of treatment

TSM was applied to TE 17 till the thermosensitive feelings disappeared for patients in the TSM group

or CMM employed to TE 17 for 45 min for patients in the CMM group

followed by manual acupuncture stimulation of Cuanzhu(BL 2)

Yangbai(GB 14)

Sibai(ST 2)

Quanliao(SI 18)

Jiache(ST 6)

etc.on the affected side(shallow needling

uniform reinforcing-reducing needle-manipulation)for 30 min

once daily.In the 2 nd course(10 days)

only manual acupuncture was performed

the same acupoints were stimulated with the same methods used in the 1 st course

and in combination with bilateral Zusanli(ST 36)which was stimulated with reinforcing-needling technique.The interval between the 2 courses was 2 days.The modified Portmann scale(for movements of eyebrow raising

eye closing

cheek bulging

pouting

teeth showing and nostril widening

and symetry during resting state)was used to evaluate the severity of the facial palsy before and after the treatment.Results After the treatment

the Portmann scores were significantly higher than those of their own pre-treatment in each of the two groups(P <0.01)

being markedly higher in the TSM group than in the CMM group(P <0.01)

suggesting a better therapeutic effect of TSM.Conclusion The thermosensitive moxibustion is considerably superior to the conventional mild moxibustion in improving the symptoms of facial paralysis patients.