title: Usefulness of BFB/EMG in facial palsy rehabilitation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To analyze and to compare the recovery and the development of synkinesis in patients with idiopathic facial palsy (Bell's palsy) following treatment with two methods of rehabilitation, kinesitherapy (KT) and biofeedback/EMG (BFB/EMG).
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective cases--series review.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seventy-four patients with Bell' palsy were clinically evaluated within 1 month from onset of palsy and at 12 months after palsy (House scale and synkinesis evaluation). Electromyography (EMG) and Electroneurography (ENG) were performed about 4 weeks after palsy to better evaluate functional abnormalities due to facial nerve lesion. The patients followed two different protocols for rehabilitation: the first 32 patients were treated with therapeutic exercises performed by therapists (KT group), the latter 42 patients were treated using BFB/EMG methods (BFB group) with inhibition of synkinetic movement as the primary goal.
  
  
  RESULTS
  KT and BFB patients were evaluated for clinical and neurophysiological characteristics before rehabilitative treatment. BFB patients showed better clinical recovery and minor synkinesis than KT patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  BFB/EMG seems to be more useful than KT in Bell's palsy treatment. This could be due to the fact that BFB/EMG gives more accurate information than KT on muscle activation with better modulation in voluntary recruitment of motor unit.
authors.affiliation: Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Pavia, IRCCS Policlinico S. Matteo, Pavia, Italy. elena.dallatoffola@unipv.it
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Dalla Toffola
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bossi
authors.forename: Michelangelo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Buonocore
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Montomoli
authors.forename: Lucia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Petrucci
authors.forename: Enrico
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Alfonsi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D020330:Bell Palsy / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000628:therapy*; D001676:Biofeedback, Psychology / Q000379:methods; D004576:Electromyography; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D046608:Synkinesis / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy; D016896:Treatment Outcome