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Arilewola AO1, Egwu MO2, Ogundele AO1
1Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Physiotherapy, Ile Ife, Osun, Nigeria, 2Obafemi Awolowo University, Medical Rehabilitation, Ile Ife, Osun, Nigeria
Background: The face serves as the image of the soul and is a form of non verbal communication among people. Paralysis of a side of the face is an unpleasant cosmetic deformity.
Purpose: The purpose of the study is to evaluate and compare the efficacy of electrical stimulation and facial exercises in the recovery and management of facial palsy.
Methods: A total of 21 patients diagnosed with facial palsy of lower motor neurone type participated in the study. Subjects were randomly selected based on their readiness and availability to participate in the study into three groups. Group1 had a combination of facial exercises and electrical stimulation (faradic current). Group 2 were treated with only facial exercises, while group 3 had only electrical stimulation. Patients were managed for a total of 6 weeks. Following a detailed assessment, the following were measured, facial asymmetry (using a tape measure), level of paralysis (using House-Brackman scale) and strength duration curve done with the Rheobase and Chronaxie values taking into consideration. All measurements were down pre treatment and after 6 weeks. Statistic analysis was done using ANOVA. Where ANOVA showed significant difference Post-hoc analysis was used to determine where differences lies.
Results: 0.05)Statistical analysis revealed that Bells palsy accounted for highest percentage of patients seen, the right side of the face was more affected. There was no significant difference between the pre and post values of facial asymmetry, severity level and values of chronaxie and Rheobase across the three groups. There was significant difference in the pre and post values of severity, chronaxie and Rheobase in Group 1 and 2. Group 3( EMS) showed significant difference (p in severity and chronaxie value. There was no significant difference in asymmetry across and within the groups.
Conclusion(s): facial exercises is efficacious in the management of facial palsy. Electrical stimulation is efficacious in the management of facial palsy. this is seen in the significant difference seen in the values of House-Brackman scores when the pre and post values were compared. A combination of the two is more effective.
Implications: Facial exercises proved to be more effective as seen on its effects on the severity level, Rheobase and Chronaxie values as compared with electrical stimulation having effect on severity values and Chronaxie.
Keywords: Facial palsy, Severity, Facial exercises, Electrical Stimulation
Funding acknowledgements: None
Purpose: The purpose of the study is to evaluate and compare the efficacy of electrical stimulation and facial exercises in the recovery and management of facial palsy.
Methods: A total of 21 patients diagnosed with facial palsy of lower motor neurone type participated in the study. Subjects were randomly selected based on their readiness and availability to participate in the study into three groups. Group1 had a combination of facial exercises and electrical stimulation (faradic current). Group 2 were treated with only facial exercises, while group 3 had only electrical stimulation. Patients were managed for a total of 6 weeks. Following a detailed assessment, the following were measured, facial asymmetry (using a tape measure), level of paralysis (using House-Brackman scale) and strength duration curve done with the Rheobase and Chronaxie values taking into consideration. All measurements were down pre treatment and after 6 weeks. Statistic analysis was done using ANOVA. Where ANOVA showed significant difference Post-hoc analysis was used to determine where differences lies.
Results: 0.05)Statistical analysis revealed that Bells palsy accounted for highest percentage of patients seen, the right side of the face was more affected. There was no significant difference between the pre and post values of facial asymmetry, severity level and values of chronaxie and Rheobase across the three groups. There was significant difference in the pre and post values of severity, chronaxie and Rheobase in Group 1 and 2. Group 3( EMS) showed significant difference (p in severity and chronaxie value. There was no significant difference in asymmetry across and within the groups.
Conclusion(s): facial exercises is efficacious in the management of facial palsy. Electrical stimulation is efficacious in the management of facial palsy. this is seen in the significant difference seen in the values of House-Brackman scores when the pre and post values were compared. A combination of the two is more effective.
Implications: Facial exercises proved to be more effective as seen on its effects on the severity level, Rheobase and Chronaxie values as compared with electrical stimulation having effect on severity values and Chronaxie.
Keywords: Facial palsy, Severity, Facial exercises, Electrical Stimulation
Funding acknowledgements: None
Topic: Neurology; Electrophysical & isothermal agents; Disability & rehabilitation
Ethics approval required: Yes
Institution: Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex
Ethics committee: Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ethics and Research Committee.
Ethics number: ERC/2006/7/06 IRB/IEC Number 00005422,
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
