The "Mirror Effect Plus Protocol" for acute Bell's palsy: A randomized controlled trial with 1-year follow-up

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Physical Therapy
• Rehabilitation Medicine

Background:

• Bell's Palsy, a condition causing acute facial paralysis, significantly impacts patients' quality of life.
• Effective rehabilitation strategies are crucial for restoring facial function and symmetry.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of the Mirror Effect Plus Protocol (MEPP) in improving global facial function in patients with acute, severe Bell's Palsy.
• To compare the long-term outcomes of MEPP against basic counseling in Bell's Palsy recovery.

Main Methods:

• A single-blind, randomized controlled trial involving 40 patients with moderately severe to total Bell's Palsy.
• The experimental group received MEPP (motor imagery, manipulations, facial mirror therapy), while the control group received basic counseling.
• Assessments of facial symmetry, synkinesis, and quality of life were conducted over one year.

Main Results:

• MEPP demonstrated significant improvements in facial symmetry scores compared to the control group (p < 0.05).
• Significant reductions in synkinesis (p=0.008) and enhanced quality of life ratings (p=0.002) were observed in the MEPP group.
• No significant difference in perceived speech intelligibility was found between the groups.

Conclusions:

• The Mirror Effect Plus Protocol (MEPP) shows promising long-term benefits for patients with acute, moderately severe to total Bell's Palsy.
• Early initiation of MEPP during the acute phase appears crucial for maximizing recovery outcomes.