Treatment Effects of Botulinum Toxin Injection and Acupuncture on Blepharospasm Assessed by the Change in Lower Eyelid Tension.

Objective: To investigate the treatment effects of botulinum toxin-A (BTA) injection and acupuncture on blepharospasm (BP) evaluated by the change in lower eyelid tension (LET).Methods: A series of 30 patients (male: 8, female: 22) aged between 37 and 83years (63.8010.96yrs) who met the eligibility criteria of BP were recruited in this study, who were randomly assigned to BTA injection group (BTA group, n =15) and acupuncture treatment group (Acupuncture group, n =15). BTA injections were administered to the patients in BTA group while patients in acupuncture group received the acupuncture treatment. The LET was measured by a tensiometer in both groups at baseline and at post-treatment.Results: A significant decrease in LETs over 8 weeks was found in acupuncture group (812.76 +/- 193.95Pa at baseline, 549.69 +/- 150.04Pa at 4weeks, and 510.96 +/- 150.66Pa at 8weeks, respectively; F =31.127, p << 0.001). There was a significant decrease in LET from 858.61 +/- 190.54Pa at baseline to 414.45 +/- 63.38Pa at 2 weeks after treatment (Z =-4.542, p << 0.01) in BTA group. At the endpoint of the study, a significant difference in LET was found between the acupuncture group (301.80 +/- 181.77Pa) and the BTA group (444.16 +/- 193.44Pa) (t =-2.077, p =0.047).Conclusions: BP patients have an increased LET. Both BTA and acupuncture are effective in decreasing the LET. Close monitoring of LET holds promise in planning the treatment strategy for Blepharospasm.