Objective To compare the therapeutic effects of plum-blossom needle therapy with cupping and laser irradia-tion in the treatment of acute facial paralysis with ipsilateral peri-auricular pain.Methods Sixty outpatients with acute facial paralysis and ipsilateral peri-auricular pain were divided into plum-blossom needle(treatment) group(n=28) and laser-irradiation(control) group(n=32).In the acute stage

patients of the treatment group were treated with plum-blossom needle tapping in combination with cupping at Yifeng(TE 17) and Wangu(GB 12)

while those of the control group treated with He-Ne laser irradiation over the same two acupoints until the peri-auricular pain disappeared.The treatment was given once daily.Following disappearance of the pain

routine acupuncture treatment of Yifeng(TE 17)

Wangu(GB 12)

Dicang(ST 4)

etc.was given conti-nuously to patients of the two groups

once daily for 20 times.The treatment times for healing ipsilateral peri-auricular pain

and the electromyogram(EMG

compound muscle action potential) of the ipsilateral musculus orbicularis oris were recorded.Scores of the facial nerve function were given to House-Brackmann Facial Nerve Grading System.Results The treatment times for healing peri-auricular pain in the treatment group and laser irradiation group were 2.9±1.0 and 6.0±2.2 respectively(t=6.816

P=0.000).The scores of House-Brackmann scale of the paralyzed side in the treatment group and control group were(3.3±1.5) points and(3.3±1.4) points(P>0.05) before the treatment;(1.8±1.1) points and(2.5±1.2) points(P<0.05) one month after the treatment

and(1.5±0.9) points and(2.2±1.5) points(P<0.05)three months after the treatment

respectively.The amplitude ratios of compound muscle action potential between the affected side and the healthy side in the treatment group and control group were(52.1±20.5)% and(51.2±22.6)%(P>0.05) during the first two weeks after onset

and(79.2±11.3)% and(69.8±17.9)%(P<0.05)three months after the treatment

respectively.Conclusion Plum-blossom needle tapping plus cupping is significantly superior to that of He-Ne laser irradiation in reducing the treatment sessions for relieving peri-auricular pain during acute stage

and improving facial and muscular functions in the treatment of acute facial paralysis patients.