• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.1-17
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• 2001

Background and Objetive : Lack of uniformity in reporting facial nerve recovery in patients with facial nerve paralysis has been a major disadvantage in comparing treatment modalities. The objective evaluation of facial nerve function is a complex procedure. The House and Brackmann grading system, the Yanagihara grading system has been recommend as a universal standard for assessing the degree of facial nerve palsy. However, clinical studies for treatment of facial palsy have rarely used this universal standard in oriental medicine. That is the reason for analysing this facial nerve grading system. Material and Method : We choose 10 scales reported from 1955 till 1995. These facial nerve grading systems may be classified as Gross system, Regional system and Specific system. Result and Conculsion : The scales of Botmann and Jonkees, May, Peitersen, and House and Brackmann are the gross facial nerve grading systems with which we grossly assess the facial motor dysfunction and the secondary defect. Among these scales, H-B scale is the most widespred The scales of Yanagihara(若杉文吉), Smith, Adour and Swanson, Jassen, FEMA are the regional facial nerve grading system in which we weight, or unweight the facial motor dysfunction and the secondary defect. For example, the scales of Yanagihara(若杉文吉) and Smith are the unweighted regional scale, the scale of Adour and Swanson, Jassen, FEMA are the weighted regional grading system. The scale of Stennert is the Specific facial nerve grading system in which we respectively assess the grade of facial dysfunction at rest, in motion and the secondary defect. For the objective evaluation of the oriental medicine treatment for facial palsy, we must use the universal standard scale, i.e. the H-B scale, the Yanagihara scale.

• The Journal of the Society of Korean Medicine Diagnostics
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.233-240
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• 2013

Objectives The objective and universal grading system for the facial nerve palsy is needed to the objectification of treatment in Oriental medicine. In this study, the facial nerve palsy grading was developed with combination of image processing technique and Nottingham scale. Methods The developed system is composed of measurement part, image processing part, facial nerve palsy evaluation part, and display part. With the video data recorded by webcam at measurement part, the positions of marker were measured at image processing part. In evaluation part, Nottingham scales were calculated in four different facial expressions with measured marker position. The video of facial movement, time history of marker position, and Nottingham scale were displayed in display part. Results & Conclusion The developed system was applied to a normal subject and a abnormal subject with facial nerve palsy. The left-right difference of Nottingham scores was large in the abnormal compared with the normal. In normal case, the change of the length between supraorbital point and infraorbital point was larger than that of the length between lateral canthus and angle of mouth. The abnormal case showed an opposite result. The developed system showed the possibilities of the objective and universal grading system for the facial nerve palsy.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.147-160
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• 2007

Background and Objective : The facial nerve grading system proposed by House and Brackmann is most widely accepted for the clinical assessment of facial nerve injury. Because of the limitations and subjectivity of the House-Brackmann scale, several new scales of varying degrees of objectivity and ease of use have been introduced. To assess methods of evaluating the function of the facial nerve that have been introduced over the past 20 years, We compared with the House-Brackmann scale. Method : We referred to the information through Entrez Pubmed and Korean studies information(KSI) from 1985 to 2006 about methods of evaluating facial nerve function. We choose 7 scales that focused on objective and easy of use. Result and conclusion : Sunnybrook scale is a weighted, subjective scale with incorporation of secondary defects into a single composite score. Sunnybrook scale can be recommended over House-Brackmann scale.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.112-123
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• 2002

Background and Objective : The evaluation of facial nerve function is a complex procedure. The House-Brackmann facial nerve grading system(H-B grade)and the Yanagihara grading system(Y-system) have been recommended as universal standards for assessing the degree of facial nerve palsy. The purpose of this study is to compare the effectiveness of Y-system and H-B system and to know the advantages of each system for each stage of incomplete recovery or sequelae of facial paralysis. Materials and Methods : A comparison between H-B grade and Y-system was studied with 137 evaluations of 61 cases of incomplete recovery or sequelae of peripheral facial paralysis. Each case was graded by using H-B system as a gross system and Y-system as a regional system before treatment, after 12 weeks and 6 months Results and Conclusions : The range of score in the Y-system 0-6, 8-16, 14-22, 24-34, 32-38, 38-40 were matched with grade VI, V, IV, III, II and I in the H-B system. The percentage of H-B grade III was the greatest among 137 evaluations and y-system showed the greatest score range. H-B system is easy to use but Y-system is more objective, quantitative and convenient to use in the incomplete recovery or sequelae state.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.117-127
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• 2016

Objectives : This study was performed to observe the effect of complex therapy, including electro-acupuncture and magnetic-acupuncture, on peripheral facial nerve palsy. Methods : Nine patients with peripheral facial nerve palsy were treated with acupuncture using electrical and magnetic stimulation. Acupoints in the face were stimulated with an electromagnetic field, as widely and as evenly as possible. To evaluate the effects before and after treatment we used Yanagihara's unweighted grading system, House-Brackmann scale, and Sunnybrook facial grading system and image once a week. Results : After treatment, the scores of Yanagihara's unweighted grading system, House-Brackmann scale and Sunnybrook facial grading system each improved (p-value < 0.05). Conclusion : Complex therapy using electro-acupuncture and magnetic-acupuncture might be an effective treatment to improve symptoms of peripheral facial nerve palsy. Further randomized-controlled trials are required to verify the efficacy and results of this study.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.63-68
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• 2024

Background: Facial nerve palsy presents a significant healthcare challenge, impacting daily life and social interactions. This systematic review investigates the potential utility of ultrasonography as a diagnostic tool for facial nerve palsy. Methods: Electronic searches will be conducted across various databases, including MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL (Cochrane Central register of Controlled Trials), CNKI (China National Knowledge Infrastructure), KMBASE (Korean Medical Database), ScienceON, and OASIS (Oriental Medicine Advanced Searching Integrated System), up to February 2024. The primary outcome will focus on ultrasonography-related parameters, such as facial nerve diameter and muscle thickness. Secondary outcomes will encompass clinical measurements, including facial nerve grading scales and electrodiagnostic studies. the risk of bias in individual study will be assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias assessment tool, while the grading of recommendations, assessment, development, and evaluations methodology will be utilized to evaluate the overall quality of evidence. Conclusion: This study aims to review existing evidence and evaluate the diagnostic and prognostic value of ultrasonography for peripheral facial nerve palsy.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.107-116
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• 2013

Objjectives : The purpose of this study is to investigate the correlation between surface electromyography(SEMG) and assessment scales for facial palsy. Methods : The subjects for this study were 21 patients who had peripheral facial nerve palsy. We analyzed about the correlation between the results of SEMG and facial nerve assessment scales that were carried out at the same time. The assessment scales used in this study were House-Brackmann scale, Yanagihara grading system, Sunnybrook facial grading system. Results : There are considerable correlation between the results of SEMG and the results of three kinds of assessment scales for facial nerve palsy. Conclusions : SEMG may be an objective examination for facial nerve palsy. Some research aimed at development of SEMG examination guideline for facial nerve palsy will be needed after this. And we expect that many researches for development of diagnostic equipments or treatment equipments that utilize SEMG will proceed.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.327-330
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• 2013

The purpose of this study is to report a clinical progress of treatment of sequelae caused by removal of facial schwannoma through Korean medicine. A patient was diagnosed with facial schwannoma by MRI on 4th June 2012 in local university hospital, he had right facial palsy, auditory hypersensitivity, dizziness after removal of facial schwannoma. Between 25th July 2012 and 26th January 2013, he was treated with acupuncture, cupping, electro-acupuncture every week and observed by House-Brackmann facial nerve grading system(H-B scale) and MoReSS every month. He had 29 times treatments. At the first of treatment, his state was Grade IV (H-B scale), 4/8(facial nerve grading), 10 points during action 7 points during rest(MoReSS) and he had severe facial palsy, ill-acrimation, auditory hypersensitivity. At the middle of treatment, October 2012, symptoms improved. State was Grade III (H-B scale), 5/8(facial nerve grading), 7 points during action 3 points during rest(MoReSS). Severe facial palsy improved ; Forehead creasing and union motor function recovered, he was able to close his eyes so ill-acrimation improved. At the end of treatment, January 2012, state was Grade II (H-B scale), 7.5/8(facial nerve grading), 3 points during action 1 point during rest(MoReSS). He had only occasional tinnitus and auditory hypersensitivity. Acupuncture and electro-acupuncture are estimated to be good for facial palsy after removal of facial schwannoma. More cases are required to develop treatment of facial palsy.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.38 no.5
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• pp.769-777
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• 2017

Objective: Facial nerve palsy is caused by damage to the 7th cranial nerve. It is the main symptom of facial muscle paralysis on the affected side. Usually, recovery from this disease begins 2-3 weeks after onset and most patients recover in 4-8 weeks. If the patients cannot receive proper treatment, severe permanent impairments, both physical and mental, may remain, so this disease should be treated appropriately. In this study, a patient with facial nerve palsy was admitted to the Korean medicine hospital for treatment. We report on the patient's progress and the effects of treatment. Methods: We cured the patient with herbal medicines, acupuncture, herbal acupuncture therapy, and physical therapy. We used a numerical rating scale, the House Brackmann grading system, and a weighted regional grading system to assess symptom changes. Result: The patient with facial nerve palsy was hospitalized for 23 days and recovered from symptoms without significant problems on the face or in motor function.

• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.122-127
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• 2001

Background : Bell's palsy(BP) is defined as an idiopathic peripheral facial paralysis of sudden onset and account more than 50% of facial paralysis. It's etiology is unclear, but herpes simplex virus type-1(HSV-1) has been the most suspicious causative agent of BP that ever been studied. We evaluated the effect of add-on acyclovir in acute stage of BP. Methods : Subject consisted of 35 patients who developed acute idiopathic unilateral facial nerve palsy(16 men and 19 women with age 9-78 years old). The treatments were started within 10 days after onset of BP. Facial nerve function was assessed by the House-Brackman facial nerve grading scale and facial nerve conduction study including blink reflex. Follow-up evaluation were made 2 month after onset. Twenty of 35 patients were treated with combined therapy of acyclovir and prednisone. As a control group, 15 patients were treated with prednisone only. We compared the improvement of neurologic defects at recovery phase. Results : Compared with two groups, difference in grading scale at recovery phase is statistically significant(p<0.01). So, acyclovir-prednisone group showed a significant improvement in grading scale at recovery phase compared with prednisone group. Conclusion : We identified the benefits of add-on acyclovir in the acute stage of BP.