Physiotherapy in patients with facial nerve paresis: description of outcomes.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to describe changes and stabilities of long-term sequelae of facial paresis in outpatients receiving mime therapy, a form of physiotherapy.


METHODS
Archived data of 155 patients with peripheral facial nerve paresis were analyzed. Main outcome measures were (1) impairments: facial symmetry in rest and during movements and synkineses; (2) disabilities: eating, drinking, and speaking; and (3) quality of life.


RESULTS
Symmetry at rest improved significantly; the average severity of the asymmetry in all movements decreased. The number of synkineses increased for 3 out of 8 movements; however, the group average severities decreased for 6 movements; substantially fewer patients reported disabilities in eating, drinking, and speaking; and quality of life improved significantly.


CONCLUSIONS
During a period of approximately 3 months, significant changes in many aspects of facial functioning were observed, the relative position of patients remaining stable over time. Observed changes occurred while the patients participated in a program for facial rehabilitation (mime therapy), replicating the randomized controlled trial-proven benefits of mime therapy in a more varied sample of outpatients.
Beurskens
Carien H G
CH
Department of Physiotherapy, University Medical Centre, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands. c.beurskens@fysioth.umcn.nl
Heymans
Peter G
PG
D000328:Adult; D020330:Bell Palsy / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D005149:Facial Expression; D005152:Facial Muscles / Q000503:physiopathology; D005158:Facial Paralysis / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D011788:Quality of Life; D046608:Synkinesis / Q000534:rehabilitation; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome