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Physiotherapy in patients with facial nerve paresis: description of outcomes
Carien H G Beurskens1, Peter G Heymans
1Department of Physiotherapy, University Medical Centre, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands. c.beurskens@fysioth.umcn.nl
Purpose:
The purpose of this study was to describe changes and stabilities of long-term sequelae of facial paresis in outpatients receiving mime therapy, a form of physiotherapy.
Material And Methods:
Archived data of 155 patients with peripheral facial nerve paresis were analyzed. Main outcome measures were (1) impairments: facial symmetry in rest and during movements and synkineses; (2) disabilities: eating, drinking, and speaking; and (3) quality of life.
Results:
Symmetry at rest improved significantly; the average severity of the asymmetry in all movements decreased. The number of synkineses increased for 3 out of 8 movements; however, the group average severities decreased for 6 movements; substantially fewer patients reported disabilities in eating, drinking, and speaking; and quality of life improved significantly.
Conclusion:
During a period of approximately 3 months, significant changes in many aspects of facial functioning were observed, the relative position of patients remaining stable over time. Observed changes occurred while the patients participated in a program for facial rehabilitation (mime therapy), replicating the randomized controlled trial-proven benefits of mime therapy in a more varied sample of outpatients.