Telerehabilitation for peripheral facial palsy: A scoping review

Background and ObjectivesDriven by the rising demand for telerehabilitation (TR) services and digital transformations in the healthcare management of people with facial palsy (FP), studies on TR programs in this specific population are steadily increasing. Our scoping review aimed to provide an overview of the current state of knowledge on TR for people with FP by addressing three subquestions regarding the types of studies conducted, the technologies used, and the potential existing technologies that could be adapted for TR in this context.Study Design and MethodsWe followed the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology for scoping reviews. Between January and February 2024, two authors performed a literature search on Medline, Cochrane, PEDro, and Scopus databases, while two additional authors conducted a gray literature search using the "Grey Matters" tool, repositories, and Google.ResultsA total of 10,804 reports were initially considered in this scoping review. After the screening process, we included and analyzed 39 results. We found 18 studies with 11 different study designs or types related to TR in FP, 14 technologies projected or already used for TR purposes with a variety of delivery methods or rehabilitative treatments, and 18 additional digital instruments suitable for different TR stages.ConclusionsOur findings indicate a growing interest in and development of TR instruments, aligning with the broader expansion of telemedicine services across healthcare. We have identified a diverse range of delivery methods, rehabilitative treatments, and digital tools utilized in TR for FP. Additionally, our comprehensive overview provides healthcare providers with practical insights to improve their approach to managing patients with FP in TR contexts.