Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 20, 2025

Single-stage Dynamic Reanimation of the Smile in Irreversible Facial Paralysis by Free Functional Muscle Transfer
Published on: March 1, 2015
Emotional Training After Facial Nerve Palsy: Let's Smile Again!
Fabrizio Gervasoni1, Antonella LoMauro2, Vincenzo Ricci1
1District Municipality 2, Asst Fatebenefratelli Sacco, Viale don Luigi Orione, Milan, Italy.
None:
BackgroundWe aimed to propose Emotional training (ET) as a neurocognitive approach, based on motor imagery by stimulating the patient's perception through different stimuli on the face to treat peripheral paralysis of the facial nerve.MethodsRetrospective, observational, double-centres cohort study of 50 patients diagnosed with peripheral facial nerve palsy. Facial function was assessed through the House-Brackmann scale (HBS, the primary outcome), the Sunnybrook Facial Grading System (FGS, secondary outcome) and the Italian validated version of the Facial Disability Index (It-FDI, secondary outcome) at the beginning and the end of the rehabilitation protocol. An author blinded to the protocols did the data analysis.ResultsAll patients showed improvement at the end of ET (HBS: 2 (p < 0.001); FGS: 57 (p < 0.001); It-FDI: 80 (p = 0.002)), by achieving a slight dysfunction or even normal function compared to baseline (HBS: 4; FGS: 21; It-FDI: 76). A second group of 8 surgical patients treated with an already published protocol served as control. HSB and FGC did not differ between the two groups at baseline and after 20 rehabilitative sections, with similar improvements.ConclusionET provided significant improvements in the symmetry of the face at rest and during voluntary movements, in social function and subjectively perceived well-being. ET is an effective therapeutic proposal for patients suffering from idiopathic or iatrogenic facial nerve palsy.
Related Concept Videos
Cranial Nerves: Types Part I
Olfactory Nerve (Cranial Nerve I)
The olfactory nerve, or cranial nerve I, is unique as it is purely sensory and dedicated to the sense of smell. This nerve originates in the olfactory epithelium of the...
Cranial Nerves: Types Part II
Facial Nerve (Cranial Nerve VII)
Cranial nerve VII, or the facial nerve,...
Muscles for Facial Expressions
Coping Strategies: Emotion Focused
Facial Feedback Hypothesis
Prosopagnosia

