침치료 이상반응에 대한 전향적 관찰: 말초성 안면신경마비 입원 환자 50명을 대상으로

Prospective Observational Study of Acupuncture Adverse Events: 50 Patients Hospitalized for Peripheral Facial Palsy Treatments

Objectives : The aim of this study is to survey adverse events of acupuncture in the course of peripheral facial palsy treatments. Methods : The prospective observational study included patients hospitalized to receive acupuncture treatments for peripheral facial palsy. All patients were surveyed daily for adverse events associated with the acupuncture treatments applied the day before. Results : A total of 50 patients received $37.68{\pm}20.37$ acupuncture treatments in average. 36 patients reported experiencing at least one adverse event. Total 163 adverse events were reported. Common adverse events were bleeding(62), bruise(33), pain(30), tiredness(11), hematoma(7). The others were paresthesia(4), erythema(3), delay of removing needles(2), edema(2), aggravation of symptoms(2), declining of appetite(2), pruritus(1), drowsiness(1), anxiety(1), sweating(1), headache(1). Conclusions : Acupuncture has adverse events, like any therapeutic approaches. However, it is a relatively safe treatment. In future study, organized large scale prospective survey should be carried out to fully prove that acupuncture is safe.