Abnormal functional connectivity (FC) in the brain due to Bell’s Palsy (BP) can be reduced by acupuncture, report Chinese investigators. Twenty-two healthy volunteers and 17 BP patients underwent fMRI scans before and after acupuncture at Hegu L.I.-4. Compared with the healthy group, increased FC was found in the patient group in regions that are components of the facial motor network. Acupuncture-induced changes to FC were only observed in the patient group, and were consistent with recovery from BP symptoms, demonstrating that acupuncture can specifically improve abnormal FC in patients with BP.
Functional Connectivity Modulation by Acupuncture in Patients with Bell's Palsy. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2016;2016:5928758. Epub 2016 May 12.