The research for the function evaluation of facial nerve and the mechanisms of rehabilitation training.

BACKGROUND: Peripheral facial paralysis (PFP) is a common peripheral neural disease. Acupuncture treatment combined with PFP rehabilitation exercises is a routine method of PFP treatment. This article is to provide a new visual and objective evaluation method for exploring the mechanism and efficacy of acupuncture treatment on PFP, and develop an interactive augmented facial nerve function rehabilitation training system with multiple training models. METHODS: This prospective and observational trial will recruit 200 eligible participants for the following study. In the trial, the laser speckle contrast analysis (LASCA) technology will be applied to monitor the microcirculation of facial blood flow during acupuncture, and real-time monitoring algorithms, data sampling, and digital imaging methods will be conducted by machine learning and image segmentation. Then, a database of patient facial expressions will be built, the correlation between surface blood flow perfusion volume and facial structure symmetry will be analyzed, combined with scale assessment and electrophysiological detection. In addition, we will also explore the objectivity and effectiveness of LASCA in the evaluation of facial paralysis (FP), and the changes in blood flow microcirculation before and after acupuncture treatment will be analyzed. RESULTS: The standard image of the facial target area with facial nerve injury will be manually segmented by the convolutional neural network method. The blood flow images of the eyelid, cheek, and mandible of the patients' affected and healthy side will be compared and evaluated. Laser speckle blood flow symmetry Pr and its changes in FP condition evolution and prognosis outcome will be measured, and relevant characteristic signals values will be extracted. Finally, COX regression analysis method is conducted to establish a higher accuracy prediction model of FP with cross-validation based on laser speckle blood flow imaging technology. CONCLUSIONS: We use modern interdisciplinary high-tech technologies to explore the mechanism of acupuncture rehabilitation training in PFP. And we will provide evidence for the feasibility of using the LASCA technique as a typing diagnosis of FP in the acupuncture rehabilitation treatment of PFP. REGISTRATION NUMBER: ChiCTR1800019463.

Efectividad del tratamiento rehabilitador combinado de láser y magneto en pacientes con parálisis facial periférica / Effectiveness of combined laser and magneto rehabilitation treatment in patients with peripheral facial paralysis

La parálisis facial periférica es una afectación neurológica muy frecuente y en la mayor parte de los casos no se llega a establecer una etiología precisa, denominándolas idiopáticas o parálisis facial de Bell. Se realizó el estudio con el objetivo de evaluar la efectividad del tratamiento rehabilitador combinado de láser y magneto en pacientes con parálisis facial periférica. Se realizó un estudio cuasi-experimental modalidad antes y después sin grupo control, en 37 pacientes con parálisis facial periférica que acudieron a Consulta de Fisiatría del Policlínico “Máximo Gómez Báez” del municipio Río Cauto en el período de enero de 2017 a enero de 2019. Se estudió la comorbilidad de la parálisis facial periférica con otras enfermedades crónicas e infecciosas, resultando que el herpes simple y la otitis fueron las más significativas para un 40,54 y 24,32 por ciento respectivamente; no se tuvieron complicaciones durante la terapia combinada en el 83,78 por ciento; el nivel de severidad fue normal (83,78 por ciento), leve (13,51 por ciento) y moderado (2,70 por ciento); el tratamiento fue efectivo en el 83,78 por ciento de los pacientes. Se concluye que el tratamiento rehabilitador combinado de láser y magneto en pacientes con parálisis facial periférica es efectivo(AU)

Peripheral facial paralysis is a very frequent neurological affectation and in most cases it is not possible to establish an accurate etiology, calling them idiopathic or Bell's facial paralysis. The study was conducted with the objective of evaluating the effectiveness of combined laser and magneto rehabilitation treatment in patients with peripheral facial paralysis. We performed a quasi-experimental modality before and after without a control group in 37 patients with peripheral facial paralysis who attended the Physiatry Consultation of the "Máximo Gómez Báez" Polyclinic in the municipality of Río Cauto from January 2017 to January 2019 The comorbidity of peripheral facial paralysis with other chronic and infectious diseases was studied, resulting that herpes simplex and otitis were the most significant for 40,54 and 24,32 percent respectively; there were no complications during the combined therapy in 83,78 percent; the level of severity was normal (83,78 percent), mild (13,51 percent) and moderate (2,70 percent); the treatment was effective in 83,78 percent of the patients. It is concluded that the combined rehabilitation treatment of laser and magneto in patients with peripheral facial paralysis is effective(EU)

Reabilitação fonoaudiológica na paralisia facial periférica: revisão integrativa / Speech-language rehabilitation in peripheral facial paralysis: integrative review

RESUMO Objetivos identificar e analisar a produção científica sobre as estratégias terapêuticas empregadas na reabilitação fonoaudiológica de pessoas com paralisia facial periférica (PFP). Estratégia de pesquisa foi realizada uma revisão integrativa, utilizando-se as bases de dados SciELO, PubMed, Web of Science, ScienceDirect e Portal CAPES. Os descritores foram: paralisia facial e paralisia de Bell, combinados com reabilitação, terapia miofuncional e fonoaudiologia ou seus correlatos em inglês. Critérios de seleção estudos disponíveis na íntegra, que abordaram a reabilitação fonoaudiológica em pessoas com PFP, publicados no período entre 1999 e 2019, em português brasileiro, inglês ou espanhol. Resultados foram identificadas 650 publicações, mas apenas cinco artigos contemplaram os critérios de inclusão propostos. Dentre estes, a SciELO e PubMed obtiveram dois artigos incluídos cada. Além disso, a maioria foi publicada nos últimos dez anos e produzida no Brasil. O português brasileiro foi o idioma de publicação de três dos cinco artigos incluídos, não ocorrendo predominância de um nível de evidência específico. A descrição dos procedimentos utilizados não foi suficientemente detalhada nos estudos. Exercícios isotônicos e isométricos foram abordados mais frequentemente. A bandagem surgiu como recurso terapêutico em um estudo. Conclusão embora haja um grande número de artigos relacionadas à PFP, apenas cinco estudos descreveram procedimentos fonoaudiológicos para pessoas com PFP, com nível de evidência baixo. Portanto, novos estudos abordando o tema são necessários.

ABSTRACT Purpose identify and analyze the scientific production about the therapeutic strategies employed in the speech-language rehabilitation of people with peripheral facial paralysis. Research strategy an integrative review was performed using the SciELO, PubMed, Web of Science, ScienceDirect and Portal CAPES databases. The descriptors were: facial paralysis and Bell's palsy, combined with rehabilitation, myofunctional therapy and Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences or their correlates in english. Selection criteria studies available in their entirety, which addressed speech-language rehabilitation in people with peripheral facial paralysis, published between 1999 and 2019, in Brazilian Portuguese, english or spanish, were selected. Results 650 publications were identified, but only five articles met the proposed inclusion criteria. Among these, SciELO and PubMed obtained two articles included each. In addition, most were published in the last ten years and produced in Brazil. Brazilian Portuguese was the language of publication of three of the five included, with no predominance of a specific level of evidence. The description of the procedures used was not sufficiently detailed in the studies. Isotonic and isometric exercises were approached more frequently. Bandage emerged as a therapeutic resource in one study. Conclusion Although there are a large number of articles related to peripheral facial paralysis, only five studies described speech-language procedures for people with peripheral facial paralysis, with low level of evidence. Therefore, further studies addressing the topic are needed.

O uso da kinesio taping no tratamento da paralisia facial pós-acidente vascular cerebral fase aguda / The use of kinesio taping in the treatment of the acute phase of post-stroke facial paralysis

RESUMO Objetivo comparar os resultados da reabilitação da paralisia facial pós-acidente vascular cerebral isquêmico na fase aguda, com e sem o uso da Kinesio Taping. Métodos estudo experimental caso e controle com 46 pacientes com paralisia facial pós-acidente vascular cerebral, distribuídos em dois grupos de forma randomizada, para a reabilitação da mímica facial: o grupo caso realizou terapia miofuncional orofacial e fez uso da Kinesio Taping nos músculos zigomáticos maior e menor e o grupo controle apenas terapia miofuncional orofacial. Para avaliação da paralisia facial, foi utilizada a escala de House e Brackmann e o protocolo de incompetência do movimento para as medições da face. Todos os participantes realizaram 12 dias de intervenção fonoaudiológica para a reabilitação da mímica facial. Para análise, considerou-se a incompetência do movimento por meio das medidas da face e o grau de comprometimento da paralisia facial e foi verificado se a idade poderia ter influenciado os resultados. Foram realizadas análises de associação e o nível de significância adotado foi de 5%. Resultados os dois grupos apresentaram melhora da assimetria facial após intervenção fonoaudiológica, a incompetência do movimento foi menor em todas as medidas da face e a melhora da gravidade da paralisia facial foi semelhante, sem diferença estatística entre os tratamentos. Conclusão tanto a terapia miofuncional orofacial exclusiva, como associada ao uso da Kinesio Taping, são estratégias terapêuticas que promovem melhora da paralisia facial pós-acidente vascular cerebral.

ABSTRACT Purpose To compare the results of treatment of facial paralysis after ischemic stroke in the acute phase with and without the use of Kinesio Taping. Methods Experimental case-control study with 46 patients with facial paralysis after stroke, randomly assigned to two groups for treatment of facial mimicry: the case group underwent orofacial myofunctional therapy and used Kinesio Taping on the zygomatic major and minor muscles while the control group only received orofacial myofunctional therapy. To assess facial paralysis, the House and Brackmann scale and the movement incompetence protocol were used for facial measurements. All participants underwent 12 days of treatment for facial mimicry. The analysis considered movement incompetence by means of the face measurements and the degree of impairment of facial paralysis, checking whether age might have influenced the results. Association analyses were performed and the significance level adopted was 5%. Results both groups showed an improvement in facial asymmetry after treatment, movement incompetence was lower in all facial measurements, and the improvement in the severity of facial paralysis was similar, with no statistical difference between treatments. Conclusion Both the exclusive orofacial myofunctional therapy and the one combined with Kinesio Taping are therapeutic strategies that promote improvement in post-stroke facial paralysis.

Physical Therapy for Iatrogenic Facial Paralysis: A Systematic Review.

Importance: Facial paralysis (FP) after surgery has substantial functional, emotional, and financial consequences. Most iatrogenic FP is managed by watchful waiting, with the expectation of facial function recovery. A potential treatment is physical therapy (PT). Objective: To investigate whether noninvasive PT compared with no PT or other intervention improves facial nerve outcomes in adults with iatrogenic FP. Evidence Review: Patients with noniatrogenic FP, facial reanimation surgery, and invasive adjunctive treatments (acupuncture or botulinum toxin injection) were excluded. A systematic review was conducted for records discussing iatrogenic FP and PT; a search for these records was performed using Ovid MEDLINE (1946-2019), Embase (1947-2019), Scopus (1823-2019), Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (2004-2019), and ClinicalTrials.gov (1997-2019). The references of all the included articles were also assessed for eligible studies. All human participant, English-language study designs with at least 2 cases were included. Quality assessment was performed using the Methodological Index for Non-randomized Studies (MINORS) and the revised Cochrane Risk of Bias 2 (RoB 2) tool for randomized controlled trials. All search strategies were completed on May 16, 2019, and again on October 1, 2019. Findings: Fifteen studies (7 of which were retrospective cohort studies) and 313 patients with iatrogenic FP were included in the systematic review. Most iatrogenic FP (166 patients [53%]) was associated with parotidectomy; traditional PT (ie, facial massage) was the most common intervention (196 patients [63%]). The use of various facial grading systems and inconsistent reporting of outcomes prevented direct comparison of PT types. Conclusions and Relevance: Because of heterogeneity in reported outcomes of facial nerve recovery, definitive conclusions were unable to be made regarding the association between PT and outcomes of iatrogenic FP. Physical therapy probably has benefit and is associated with no harm in patients with iatrogenic FP.

Electroneurography cannot predict when facial synkinesis develops in patients with facial palsy.

The objective of this study is to clarify when facial palsy patients with lower value of Electroneurography (ENoG) should begin the rehabilitation to prevent the development of facial synkinesis. For this purpose, we examined the relationship between the value of ENoG measured 10-14 days after facial palsy onset and the onset day of the development of oral-ocular synkinesis. Sixteen patients with facial palsy including 11 with Bell's palsy and 5 with Ramsay Hunt syndrome (7 men and 9 women ; 15-73 years old ; mean age, 41.6 years) were enrolled in this study. There was no correlation between ENoG value and the onset day of the development of oral-ocular synkinesis (ρ = .09, p = .73). Oral-ocular synkinesis began to develop in 4.0 ±â€…0.7 months (mean ±â€…SD ; range : 3.1-5.0 months) after facial palsy onset regardless of ENoG value. In conclusion, ENoG value cannot predict when facial synkinesis develops in patients with facial palsy. We recommend that facial palsy patients with a high risk for the development of synkinesis begin the biofeedback rehabilitation with mirror to prevent the development of facial synkinesis 3 months after facial palsy onset. J. Med. Invest. 67 : 87-89, February, 2020.

Acupuncture as Part of Iatrogenic Facial Nerve Palsy Rehabilitation-First Report.

BACKGROUND: Facial paresis is one of the complications after treatment for vestibular schwannoma (VS). Acupuncture has been used for Bell palsy but not in iatrogenic facial paresis. The objective of this study is to measure the efficacy of using acupuncture for iatrogenic facial nerve palsy and patients' satisfaction. METHODS: This is a single-center retrospective study with patients from 2007-2019 received treatment for newly diagnosed or recurrent VS. Some patients who suffered facial paresis after surgery had self-initiated acupuncture. All patients who had facial paresis were included. Their facial nerve status before and immediately after surgery, postoperative 6 months and 12 months, were recorded. Those who received acupuncture also answered 6- and 12-month patient satisfaction surveys over the phone. Adverse effects were also assessed. RESULTS: There were 123 patients in this period. Of these, 29 patients had iatrogenic facial paresis and 23 of them received acupuncture. There was significant improvement of facial paresis for the acupuncture group compared with the nonacupuncture group at 6 and 12 months. More than 80% of patients who received acupuncture were satisfied. They had motor improvement and experienced less pain and tightness. No adverse effects were reported. CONCLUSIONS: Acupuncture for postresection VS facial paresis seemed to speed up its recovery. Both patients' recovery and satisfaction were good after acupuncture, and it seemed to be a safe procedure in trained hands.

Give me a kiss! An integrative rehabilitative training program with motor imagery and mirror therapy for recovery of facial palsy.

BACKGROUND: Peripheral facial nerve palsy (FNP) can have various causes, such as Bell's palsy or after surgery for acoustic neuroma. Rehabilitation is often required but there is no evidence that any rehabilitation approach is more efficacious than another. AIM: The purpose of this research was to determine the effects of neurocognitive-rehabilitative approach through mirror-therapy (MT) and motor-imagery (MI), integrated into the traditional rehabilitation with mime-therapy and myofascial-approach. DESIGN: This study was designed as a double-blind, randomized, controlled trial. SETTING: This study took place from January 2016 to June 2018 at the Unit of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation of Umberto I Polyclinic Hospital, Rome, Italy. POPULATION: Twenty-two patients were randomized into two groups: the mirror therapy group (N.=11, MT and MI) and the traditional rehabilitation group (N.=11, mime-therapy and a myofascial-approach). METHODS: Outcome assessments were performed before treatment (T0), after one month (T1=10 session, twice/week), after the second and third months (T2=10 twice/week + 5 of MT+MI one/week and T3=10 twice/week + 5 of MT+MI 1/week), and at the 4-week follow-up (T4=2 months follow-up). RESULTS: The analysis of the functional evaluations show that both groups experienced progressive improvement T0 to T3, with stabilization of the results at the follow-up. There was a significant difference in House-Brackmann-Scale scores between T0 and follow-up in favor of the experimental group. In terms of quality of life (FaCE scale), total scores and social function items improved in both groups from T0 to T3. The experimental group obtained better results with regard to quality of life and emotional depression. CONCLUSIONS: The integrated use of MT and MI is efficacious in the rehabilitation of FNP, improving facial physical function. Further studies are needed to determine the predictive factors of the recovery of facial mimic. CLINICAL REHABILITATION IMPACT: The ability of patients with unilateral facial paralysis to recognize and appropriately judge facial expressions and perceive the judgments of others remains underexplored. The likelihood of recovering near-normal facial-function after grade VI facial paralysis is low. Procedures, such as the immediate repair of the facial nerve with an interposed donor graft, might improve facial function in patients with partially injured facial nerves.

Tongue strength rehabilitation using biofeedback: a case report. / Reabilitação da força da língua utilizando biofeedback: relato de caso.

This research had the objective of reporting a clinical case in which the rehabilitation of tongue strength with biofeedback strategy was performed. This case report addresses a 20-year-old patient whose orofacial myofunctional evaluation revealed a severe decrease in the force of the anterior third of the tongue and changes in lingual mobility and coordination. The measurement of tongue pressure was performed using the Iowa Oral Performance Instrument (IOPI) during elevation, protrusion and lateralization, and it was verified a reduction in the values ​​obtained in all measured directions, compared with normality patterns. We performed 11 sessions of therapy, with weekly frequency, using a biofeedback strategy that consisted of computer games controlled by the tongue. An instrument embedded in the oral cavity functioned as a joystick as the input method for specific digital games. The patient performed at home the isometric exercises of pressing the tip of the tongue against a spatula, exaggerated retraction of tongue, tongue tapering, and isotonic exercise of touching the commissures and lips alternately, daily. After eight sessions, in relation to the elevation pressure, there was an improvement of 28.6% for the apex and 7.1% for the dorsum. As for protrusion, there was an improvement of 123.5%. In the measurements of left and right lateralization, the values ​​increased 53.8% and 7.4%, respectively. After twelve sessions, it was observed an improvement of 35.7%, 7.4%, 164%, 76.9% and 40.7% in relation to the initial evaluation, for apex elevation, dorsum elevation, protrusion, and lateralization to left and right, respectively. Despite the increase, values ​​recommended in the literature as normal for sex and age were not reached after 12 therapy sessions.

Esta pesquisa teve o objetivo de relatar um caso clínico em que foi realizada a reabilitação da força lingual com estratégia de biofeedback. Trata-se de uma paciente de 20 anos de idade, cuja avaliação miofuncional orofacial evidenciou diminuição grave de força do terço anterior da língua e alterações na mobilidade e na coordenação linguais. A quantificação da pressão lingual foi realizada por meio do Iowa Oral Performance Instrument durante a elevação, a protrusão e a lateralização, tendo se verificado redução nos valores obtidos em todas as direções medidas em comparação aos padrões de normalidade. Foram realizadas 11 sessões de terapia, com frequência semanal, utilizando estratégia de biofeedback que consistia em jogos computacionais acionados pela língua. Um instrumento encaixado na cavidade oral funcionava como um joystick, sendo método de entrada para jogos digitais específicos. Em casa, a paciente realizou exercícios isométricos de pressão de ponta de língua contra espátula, retração exagerada de língua, afilamento lingual e isotônico de tocar comissuras e lábios alternadamente, diariamente. Após oito sessões, em relação à pressão na elevação, houve melhora de 28,6% para o ápice e 7,1% para o dorso. Quanto à protrusão, houve melhora de 123,5%. Nas medidas de lateralizações esquerda e direita, os valores aumentaram 53,8% e 7,4%, respectivamente. Após 12 sessões, percebeu-se melhora, em relação à avaliação inicial, de 35,7%, 7,4%, 164%, 76,9% e 40,7%, para elevação de ápice, de dorso, protrusão, lateralizações esquerda e direita, respectivamente. Apesar do aumento, valores preconizados na literatura, como normalidade para o sexo e a idade, não foram atingidos com 12 sessões.

Facial muscle reanimation by transcutaneous electrical stimulation for peripheral facial nerve palsy.

Reanimation of paralysed facial muscles by electrical stimulation has been studied extensively in animal models, but human studies in this field are largely lacking. Twenty-four subjects with a peripheral facial nerve palsy with a median duration of three years were enrolled. We studied activations of four facial muscles with electrical stimulation using surface electrodes. In subjects whose voluntary movement was severely impaired or completely absent, the electrical stimulation produced a movement that was greater in amplitude compared with the voluntary effort in 10 out of 18 subjects in the frontalis muscle, in 5 out of 14 subjects in the zygomaticus major muscle, and in 3 out of 8 subjects in the orbicularis oris muscle. The electrical stimulation produced a stronger blink in 8 subjects out of 22 compared with their spontaneous blinks. The stimulation could produce a better movement even in cases where the muscles were clinically completely paretic, sometimes also in palsies that were several years old, provided that the muscle was not totally denervated. Restoring the function of paralysed facial muscles by electrical stimulation has potential as a therapeutic option in cases where the muscle is clinically paretic but has reinnervation.

Facial Rehabilitation as Noninvasive Treatment for Chronic Facial Nerve Paralysis.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of facial rehabilitation (FR) in patients with chronic facial nerve paralysis (FNP) and describe factors that predict improved facial nerve function after FR in this patient population. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective case review. SETTING: Tertiary referral center. PATIENTS: Around 241 patients were referred to a university hospital facial rehabilitation (FR) program for FNP between 1995 and 2016. Seventy-six patients met criteria, defined as diagnosis of FNP ≥12 months prior to initiation of FR. INTERVENTIONS: Each received at least two sessions of directed FR by a single therapist. Techniques employed: neuromuscular retraining, stretching/massage, and active exercise. MAIN OUTCOMES: Variables affecting outcomes were analyzed to determine association with success of FR as measured by improvement in Facial Grading System (FGS) scale. RESULTS: Onset of FNP to initiation of FR ranged 12 to 384 months (mean latency = 64.7 months). All patients, age 20 to 89, showed improvement in FGS after FR (mean, 16.54 points, SD 9.35). Positive predictors of FGS improvement after therapy (p-values < 0.05): increased the number of therapy sessions, right side of face being treated for FNP, lower starting FGS score. When controlling for these important variables, time from diagnosis to initiation of therapy was not significantly associated with improvement in FGS score. CONCLUSION: Facial rehabilitation was associated with improved FGS score regardless of patient age, gender, or latency to facial rehabilitation. As a noninvasive treatment option with positive outcomes, it should be offered to patients with facial nerve paralysis regardless of chronicity.

Reabilitação da força da língua utilizando biofeedback: relato de caso / Tongue strength rehabilitation using biofeedback: a case report

RESUMO Esta pesquisa teve o objetivo de relatar um caso clínico em que foi realizada a reabilitação da força lingual com estratégia de biofeedback. Trata-se de uma paciente de 20 anos de idade, cuja avaliação miofuncional orofacial evidenciou diminuição grave de força do terço anterior da língua e alterações na mobilidade e na coordenação linguais. A quantificação da pressão lingual foi realizada por meio do Iowa Oral Performance Instrument durante a elevação, a protrusão e a lateralização, tendo se verificado redução nos valores obtidos em todas as direções medidas em comparação aos padrões de normalidade. Foram realizadas 11 sessões de terapia, com frequência semanal, utilizando estratégia de biofeedback que consistia em jogos computacionais acionados pela língua. Um instrumento encaixado na cavidade oral funcionava como um joystick, sendo método de entrada para jogos digitais específicos. Em casa, a paciente realizou exercícios isométricos de pressão de ponta de língua contra espátula, retração exagerada de língua, afilamento lingual e isotônico de tocar comissuras e lábios alternadamente, diariamente. Após oito sessões, em relação à pressão na elevação, houve melhora de 28,6% para o ápice e 7,1% para o dorso. Quanto à protrusão, houve melhora de 123,5%. Nas medidas de lateralizações esquerda e direita, os valores aumentaram 53,8% e 7,4%, respectivamente. Após 12 sessões, percebeu-se melhora, em relação à avaliação inicial, de 35,7%, 7,4%, 164%, 76,9% e 40,7%, para elevação de ápice, de dorso, protrusão, lateralizações esquerda e direita, respectivamente. Apesar do aumento, valores preconizados na literatura, como normalidade para o sexo e a idade, não foram atingidos com 12 sessões.

ABSTRACT This research had the objective of reporting a clinical case in which the rehabilitation of tongue strength with biofeedback strategy was performed. This case report addresses a 20-year-old patient whose orofacial myofunctional evaluation revealed a severe decrease in the force of the anterior third of the tongue and changes in lingual mobility and coordination. The measurement of tongue pressure was performed using the Iowa Oral Performance Instrument (IOPI) during elevation, protrusion and lateralization, and it was verified a reduction in the values ​​obtained in all measured directions, compared with normality patterns. We performed 11 sessions of therapy, with weekly frequency, using a biofeedback strategy that consisted of computer games controlled by the tongue. An instrument embedded in the oral cavity functioned as a joystick as the input method for specific digital games. The patient performed at home the isometric exercises of pressing the tip of the tongue against a spatula, exaggerated retraction of tongue, tongue tapering, and isotonic exercise of touching the commissures and lips alternately, daily. After eight sessions, in relation to the elevation pressure, there was an improvement of 28.6% for the apex and 7.1% for the dorsum. As for protrusion, there was an improvement of 123.5%. In the measurements of left and right lateralization, the values ​​increased 53.8% and 7.4%, respectively. After twelve sessions, it was observed an improvement of 35.7%, 7.4%, 164%, 76.9% and 40.7% in relation to the initial evaluation, for apex elevation, dorsum elevation, protrusion, and lateralization to left and right, respectively. Despite the increase, values ​​recommended in the literature as normal for sex and age were not reached after 12 therapy sessions.

Physical therapy for facial nerve palsy: applications for the physician.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The aim of this study was to describe the current state of physical therapy for facial nerve palsy, the evidence basis for these interventions and how therapy can be integrated with other medical and surgical interventions for facial nerve palsy, as it applies to ophthalmologists, oculoplastic surgeons and other specialists. RECENT FINDINGS: Many studies indicate that physical therapy is effective for the rehabilitation of patients with facial nerve palsy and can be used synergistically with interventions administered by physicians, such as targeted botulinum toxin injections. The field is limited by a relative paucity of high-quality randomized controlled trials. Alternative therapies including Brief Electrical Stimulation continue to be studied; however, they lack a scientific rationale and, anecdotally, appear to cause more problems in cases of incomplete facial nerve recovery. SUMMARY: Physical therapy, specifically neuromuscular retraining, is a useful intervention for treating facial nerve palsy. Care for these patients is best delivered in a multidisciplinary setting in which physical therapy and medical or surgical interventions can be closely integrated. Further study aimed at standardizing physical therapy and optimizing the integration of this with other treatments for facial nerve palsy are needed.

Recovery of facial expressions using functional electrical stimulation after full-face transplantation.

BACKGROUND: We assessed the recovery of 2 face transplantation patients with measures of complexity during neuromuscular rehabilitation. Cognitive rehabilitation methods and functional electrical stimulation were used to improve facial emotional expressions of full-face transplantation patients for 5 months. Rehabilitation and analyses were conducted at approximately 3 years after full facial transplantation in the patient group. We report complexity analysis of surface electromyography signals of these two patients in comparison to the results of 10 healthy individuals. METHODS: Facial surface electromyography data were collected during 6 basic emotional expressions and 4 primary facial movements from 2 full-face transplantation patients and 10 healthy individuals to determine a strategy of functional electrical stimulation and understand the mechanisms of rehabilitation. A new personalized rehabilitation technique was developed using the wavelet packet method. Rehabilitation sessions were applied twice a month for 5 months. Subsequently, motor and functional progress was assessed by comparing the fuzzy entropy of surface electromyography data against the results obtained from patients before rehabilitation and the mean results obtained from 10 healthy subjects. RESULTS: At the end of personalized rehabilitation, the patient group showed improvements in their facial symmetry and their ability to perform basic facial expressions and primary facial movements. Similarity in the pattern of fuzzy entropy for facial expressions between the patient group and healthy individuals increased. Synkinesis was detected during primary facial movements in the patient group, and one patient showed synkinesis during the happiness expression. Synkinesis in the lower face region of one of the patients was eliminated for the lid tightening movement. CONCLUSIONS: The recovery of emotional expressions after personalized rehabilitation was satisfactory to the patients. The assessment with complexity analysis of sEMG data can be used for developing new neurorehabilitation techniques and detecting synkinesis after full-face transplantation.

Long-term facial improvement after repeated BoNT-A injections and mirror biofeedback exercises for chronic facial synkinesis: a case-series study.

BACKGROUND: Only few studies have considered the effects of the combined treatment with onabotulinumtoxinA (BoNT-A) injections and biofeedback (BFB) rehabilitation in the recovery of postparetic facial synkinesis (PPFS). AIM: To explore the presence of a persistent improvement in facial function out of the pharmacological effect of BoNT-A in subjects with established PPFS, after repeated sessions of BoNT-A injections combined with an educational facial training program using mirror biofeedback (BFB) exercises. Secondary objective was to investigate the trend of the presumed persistent improvement. STUDY DESIGN: Case-series study. SETTING: Outpatient Clinic of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Unit. POPULATION: Twenty-seven patients (22 females; mean age 45±16 years) affected by an established peripheral facial palsy, treated with a minimum of three BoNT-A injections in association with mirror BFB rehabilitation. The interval between consecutive BoNT-A injections was at least five months. METHODS: At baseline and before every BoNT-A injection+mirror BFB session (when the effect of the previous BoNT-A injection had vanished), patients were assessed with the Italian version of Sunnybrook Facial Grading System (SB). The statistical analysis considered SB composite and partial scores before each treatment session compared to the baseline scores. RESULTS: A significant improvement of the SB composite and partial scores was observed until the fourth session. Considering the "Symmetry of Voluntary Movement" partial score, the main improvement was observed in the muscles of the lower part of the face. CONCLUSIONS: In a chronic stage of postparetic facial synkinesis, patients may benefit from a combined therapy with repeated BoNT-A injections and an educational facial training program with mirror BFB exercises, gaining an improvement of the facial function up to the fourth session. This improvement reflects the acquired ability to use facial muscle correctly. It doesn't involve the injected muscles but those trained with mirror biofeedback exercises and it persists also when BoNT-A action has vanished. CLINICAL REHABILITATION IMPACT: The combined therapy with repeated BoNT-A injections and an educational facial training program using mirror BFB exercises may be useful in the motor recovery of the muscles of the lower part of the face not injected but trained.

The effective stimulating pulse for restoration of blink function in unilateral facial nerve paralysis rabbits, verified by a simple FES system.

The trains of 200 ms biphasic square pulses with the width of 9 ms delivered at 50 Hz were found to be the most suitable and effective mean as stimulation in FES system of restoring the blink function in unilateral facial nerve paralysis rabbit model. FES system is a reliable tool for these patients. Facial paralysis affects thousands of people every year. Many will have long term facial difficulties and the loss of the ability to blink the eye, which can lead to potential loss of the eye. Although many treatments exist, no one approach corrects all the deficits associated with the loss of orbicularis oculi function. FES is a means of providing movement in paralysed muscles to assist with practical activities and one possible way of restoring blink and other functions in these patients. Although some previous researches had investigated the effect of simple FES system on restoration of paralyzed facial muscles, there is still controversy about the appropriate details of the most effective stimulating pulses, such as the frequency, wave pattern and pulse width. Our aim is to find out the parameters of the most appropriate and effective stimulatin verify it by a simple FES system. 24 healthy adult male New Zealand white rabbits were accepted the surgery of right side facial nerve main trunk transaction under general anesthesia as the unilateral facial nerve paralysis models. The platinum tungsten alloy electrodes were implanted in orbicularis oculi muscle. The parameters of stimulus pulses were set to a 200 ms biphasic pulse with different waveforms (square, sine and triangle), different frequencies (25, 50, 100 Hz) and different widths from 1 to 9 ms. Next, we set up a simple FES system to verify the previous results as the stimulus signal. We observed the movement of the both sides of eyelid when eye blink induced by different kinds of pulses. In all animals, the three kinds of waveforms pulse with frequency of 25 Hz could not evoke the smooth blink movement. But the pulses with frequency of 50 and 100 Hz can achieve this effect. The voltage threshold of the square pulse was lower than that of the sine pulse and triangle pulse. With the increase of pulse width from 1 to 9 ms, the voltage threshold decreased gradually. The voltage threshold of the pulse with frequency of 100 Hz was obviously lower than that of 50 Hz. But the amount of total charge of the stimulation pulse of 100 Hz was significantly more than that of 50 Hz. In addition, when the FES system was turned on, the eye blink on the affected side with the stimulation pulses that were set by the previous step results was successfully aroused by the blink movement as a trigger on the contralateral.

Effectiveness of facial exercise therapy for facial nerve dysfunction after superficial parotidectomy: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the effectiveness of a daily home-based facial exercise therapy with a supervised rehabilitation technique for the treatment of postoperative facial dysfunction in patients undergoing conventional superficial parotidectomy. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized trial, controlled. SETTING: Surgery and Rehabilitation Units, university hospital. SUBJECTS: Consecutive patients ( n=79, mean age 48 years) who underwent superficial parotidectomy with facial nerve dissection were randomly divided into two groups. INTERVENTION: Control group (CG) were given a daily homework manual to perform ordinary postoperative facial mimic exercises autonomously in front of the mirror at home. Experimental group (EG) patients with moderate-severe paresis received supervised rehabilitation therapy that consisted in weekly sessions with facial exercises and massages and performed daily facial exercises at home. EG patients with slight paresis were instructed to undertake self-massage and mirror exercises. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Postoperative dysfunction of facial nerve and branches was quantified measuring the prevalence, magnitude and duration of paresis by the House-Brackmann Facial Nerve Grading System up to 12th months. RESULTS: Facial paresis incidence at 1st week was 77.2%, being the marginal-mandibular nerve the most affected (64.5%). No statistically significant differences were found at any time of the study when comparing the frequency, magnitude and duration of paresis between EG and CG and among patients who had presented moderate-severe paresis. In the absence of intraoperative nerve injury, complete recovery of facial mobility was observed within 12 months, regardless of treatment group. CONCLUSION: Rehabilitation therapy and mirror facial exercises performed autonomously at home were equally effective for postoperative functional recovery.

Rehabilitation and functional recovery after masseteric-facial nerve anastomosis.

BACKGROUND: After masseteric-facial nerve (V-VII) anastomosis, a new neurological circuit oversees the facial muscles and patients should learn to activate the facial movements using the masseteric function. AIM: To monitor the rehabilitative protocol of facial muscles activation through teeth clenching and to assess the clinical evolution after V-VII anastomosis in terms of facial symmetry and functional recovery. DESIGN: Case series. SETTING: Outpatients clinic. POPULATION: Eleven patients undergone V-VII anastomosis for complete unilateral facial palsy. METHODS: After surgery, patients underwent a needle electromyography (EMG) and a rehabilitative training with mirror feedback to learn how to reach the symmetry at rest and during facial movements through teeth clenching. The rehabilitative protocol at the first clinical evaluation has been monitored through the Italian version of Sunnybrook Facial Grading System (SFGS) and the Software Facial Assessment by Computer Evaluation (FACE). Functional limitations and quality of life have been evaluated using the Italian version of Facial Disability Index (FDI). The clinical evolution at 18 months was evaluated with EMG, SFGS, biting evaluation and FDI. RESULTS: At the first clinical evaluation after reinnervation, through teeth clenching patients displayed an improvement of symmetry at rest, symmetry of voluntary movement, symmetry of smile and composite score of SFGS. Objective measurement of facial structures with FACE system demonstrated an improvement of symmetry at rest and during smile through teeth clenching. At 18 months patients displayed a good reinnervation with a further improvement of SFGS scores and reduction of functional disability. No biting deficit has been observed. CONCLUSIONS: After V-VII anastomosis, at the first rehabilitative visit, patients learn to activate the reinnervated facial muscles through teeth clenching. Eighteen months after the anastomosis, patients display a further improvement of voluntary control on facial symmetry and smile and a reduction of disability. CLINICAL REHABILITATION IMPACT: Our study illustrates the rehabilitative protocol after V-VII anastomosis and analyzes the clinical evolution after this intervention in terms of recovery of facial symmetry and reduction of disability. This will be instrumental to standardize the rehabilitative protocol among different centers and to choose the best patient-tailored surgical approach for subjects affected by complete facial palsy.

Half-mirror biofeedback exercise in combination with three botulinum toxin A injections for long-lasting treatment of facial sequelae after facial paralysis.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: The present study was conducted to develop a new method for maintaining the effect of botulinum toxin treatment for facial sequelae. We used a combination strategy including the administration of botulinum toxin three times at 6-8-month intervals followed by daily newly developed half-mirror biofeedback rehabilitation for about 2 years from the first injection. STUDY DESIGN: This was a prospective study. METHODS: Seventeen patients with unilateral facial palsy for >1 year were included in the study. The amount injected per site varied from 1.5 to 3 U. The purpose of the first injection was to reduce the most inconvenient facial problem such as facial synkinesis or hyperkinetic movement at the points of the periocular area and the zygomaticus major and minor muscles with an average dosage of 17.4 ± 13.9 U. The second injection was to enhance facial symmetry at prominent hypertrophic areas on the contralateral side with 36.5 ± 15.4 U, and the third injection was to add cosmetic configuration at the points of deep furrows and creases caused by facial muscular hyperkinesis or atrophy with 15.6 ± 8.4 U. RESULT: After three injections of botulinum toxin A and 2 years of half-mirror biofeedback exercises, all patients showed marked relief of facial synkinesis and facial asymmetry. Before treatment, the mean ± standard deviation (SD) Sunnybrook (SB) score was 36.8 ± 8.76. After the first injection, the score increased by 11.4. After the second injection, the score increased by 14.6; it further increased by 15.6 after the third injection. CONCLUSION: This facial rehabilitation strategy, consisting of three injections of botulinum toxin and half-mirror biofeedback exercises, proceeds over the course of 2 years and offers a long-lasting cure for facial synkinesis and facial symmetry as well as improved facial aesthetics.

Métodos Fisioterapêuticos utilizados no Tratamento da Paralisia Facial Periférica: Uma Revisão / Physical Therapy Methods Used in the Treatment of Peripheral Facial Paralysis: A Review

Descrever os métodos e recursos fisioterapêuticosutilizados na Paralisia Facial Periférica, e verificar de queforma a paralisia facial periférica (PFP) vem sendo consideradano processo de reabilitação. Material e Métodos: Foi realizadauma revisão de literatura através de busca em publicaçõescientíficas indexadas nas bases de dados Scielo, PubMed eScience Direct, que permitem o uso da terminologia comumem português, inglês, francês e espanhol. As palavras-chavesutilizadas na busca, em português, foram: Paralisia FacialPeriférica, Fisioterapia, e Reabilitação; na língua francesa:Paralysies Faciales, physiothérapie e réhabilitation; no idiomaespanhol: Parálisis Facial, Fisioterapia, rehabilitación; e eminglês, Facial Paralysis, Physical Therapy e Rehabilitation. Abusca foi realizada de março a maio de 2012. Resultados:Foram selecionados 10 artigos, dentre eles estudos de casos,estudos longitudinais e experimentais, referentes a condutasterapêuticas que contribuem para o tratamento da PFP. Sãoelas recursos manuais, cinesioterapêuticos,eletrotermofototerapêuticos, mecânicos, terapia cognitiva etreinamento funcional. Todos os estudos incluídos nestapesquisa ressaltaram que o acometimento da PFP ultrapassao limite da doença física levando ao comprometimentopsicológico e social. Conclusão: Conclui-se que existem váriosmétodos de tratamento para a PFP e que utilizam-se dediferentes recursos e técnicas. Os estudos incluem estimulaçãoelétrica, massagens, exercícios faciais e reeducaçãoneuromuscular isolados, ou combinações desses e, ainda,variação de parâmetros para um mesmo recurso. Os métodose recursos fisioterapêuticos mais usados na reabilitação daPFP são: massagem, método Kabat e a estimulação elétricafuncional (FES)...

To describe the methods and resources used inphysical therapy for peripheral facial paralysis (PFP), andinvestigate how PFP has been considered in the rehabilitationprocess. Material and Methods: A literature review was performedby searching scientific publications indexed in the databasesScielo, PubMed and Science Direct, which allow the use ofcommon terminology in Portuguese, English, French andSpanish. The keywords used in the search in Portuguese were:Paralisia Facial Periférica, Reabilitação e Fisioterapia; inFrench: Paralysies faciales, physiothérapie and réhabilitation;In Spanish: Parálisis Facial, Rehabilitación, Fisioterapia; andin English: Facial Paralysis, Physical Therapy andRehabilitation. The searches were carried out from March toMay 2012. Results: A total of 10 papers were selected, includingcase studies, longitudinal and experimental studies related totherapeutic procedures contributing to the PFP treatment. Themain procedures were: manual resources; kinesiotherapy;electrothermal, mechanical and cognitive therapy; andfunctional training. All studies included in this review pointedout that the involvement of the PFP exceeds the limit ofphysical illness leading to psychological and social issues.Conclusion: There are various approaches to treat PFP whichinclude different features and techniques, such as electricalstimulation, massage, facial exercises and neuromuscularreeducation exclusively, or combinations of these, and alsovariation of parameters in the same technique. The methodsand physical therapy resources most commonly used for PFPrehabilitation are massage, Kabat method and functionalelectrical stimulation (FES)...