Laser acupuncture treatment for Bell's palsy

Laser Acupuncture for Idiopathic Bell's Palsy: a Randomized Controlled Trial

Not applicable Interventional Beijing Tongren Hospital · NCT06732622

This study is testing if laser acupuncture can help people with Bell's palsy feel better compared to standard treatments and a fake treatment.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment360 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 65 Years
SexAll
SponsorBeijing Tongren Hospital Academic / other
Locations1 site (Beijing, Beijing Municipality)
Trial IDNCT06732622 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This clinical trial investigates the effectiveness of laser acupuncture therapy in alleviating symptoms of idiopathic Bell's palsy. A total of 360 patients diagnosed with Bell's palsy are randomly assigned to receive either laser acupuncture, sham laser acupuncture, or standard care with oral Prednisolone over a period of four weeks. The study evaluates clinical outcomes using established grading scales at multiple time points to assess improvements in facial function and disability. The aim is to determine if laser acupuncture can provide significant benefits compared to control treatments.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are individuals diagnosed with idiopathic Bell's palsy who have a House-Brackmann grade of 3 or higher.

Not a fit: Patients with serious mental illness, neurological disorders, or those who have had Bell's palsy for more than 8 weeks may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this treatment could offer a non-invasive option for improving recovery in patients with Bell's palsy.

How similar studies have performed: While laser acupuncture is a relatively novel approach for treating Bell's palsy, similar studies in other conditions have shown promising results.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* 1\. Patients diagnosed with idiopathic Bell's Palsy 2.Patients were eligible if they were graded at House-Brackmann grade (HB) 3 or higher.

Exclusion Criteria:

* 1\. Serious mental illness or social problems, and neurological disorders, and systemic diseases, such as malignant tumors, and other serious consumptive diseases. 2. Planning for pregnancy, those in pregnancy, or those who were lactating. 3.Bell's Palsy patients who have a disease course of more than 8 weeks.

Where this trial is running

Beijing, Beijing Municipality

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Bell PalsyBell's PalsyLaser acupuncturePhotobiomodulationRCT
Last reviewed 2026-06-10 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.