Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 1, 2026
09:35
Subcutaneous Trigeminal Nerve Field Stimulation for Refractory Facial Pain
Published on: May 10, 2017
19.4K
Surface electrical stimulation for facial paralysis is not harmful.
Wiebke C Puls1,2, Jonathan C Jarvis3, Anne Ruck1,2
1ENT Department, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany.
Muscle & Nerve
|December 27, 2019
Summary
Electrical stimulation (ES) of denervated facial muscles does not delay reinnervation after surgery. ES may reduce synkinesis during spontaneous reinnervation, improving outcomes for facial paralysis patients.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Rehabilitation Medicine
- Medical Engineering
Background:
- Facial paralysis often results in denervated muscles, impacting function.
- Electrical stimulation (ES) is a potential therapeutic modality for muscle reinnervation.
- The impact of ES on reinnervation and synkinesis in facial paralysis remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether electrical stimulation (ES) affects the timing of reinnervation in denervated facial muscles.
- To determine if ES influences the development of synkinesis following facial nerve injury.
- To evaluate the functional outcomes of patients with facial paralysis undergoing ES.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective study analyzing patients with acutely denervated facial muscles.
- Two experiments: facial nerve reconstruction surgery and spontaneous reinnervation.
- Functional outcomes assessed using Sunnybrook and eFACE scores.
Main Results:
- No significant difference in reinnervation time after facial nerve reconstruction surgery with or without ES (P = .2).
- Patients receiving ES during spontaneous reinnervation showed significantly less synkinesis (P = .02).
Conclusions:
- Electrical stimulation does not appear to prevent or delay reinnervation in facial paralysis.
- ES may be beneficial in reducing synkinesis during spontaneous reinnervation.
- Further research is warranted to optimize ES protocols for facial nerve recovery.
