Mime therapy improves facial symmetry in people with long-term facial nerve paresis: a randomised controlled trial.
OBJECTIVE
What is the effect of mime therapy on facial symmetry and severity of paresis in people with facial nerve paresis?


METHODS
Randomised controlled trial.


METHODS
50 people recruited from the Outpatient department of two metropolitan hospitals with facial nerve paresis for more than nine months.


METHODS
The experimental group received three months of mime therapy consisting of massage, relaxation, inhibition of synkinesis, and co-ordination and emotional expression exercises. The control group was placed on a waiting list.


METHODS
Assessments were made on admission to the trial and three months later by a measurer blinded to group allocation. Facial symmetry was measured using the Sunnybrook Facial Grading System. Severity of paresis was measured using the House-Brackmann Facial Grading System.


RESULTS
After three months of mime therapy, the experimental group had improved their facial symmetry by 20.4 points (95% CI 10.4 to 30.4) on the Sunnybrook Facial Grading System compared with the control group. In addition, the experimental group had reduced the severity of their paresis by 0.6 grade (95% CI 0.1 to 1.1) on the House-Brackmann Facial Grading System compared with the control group. These effects were independent of age, sex, and duration of paresis.


CONCLUSIONS
Mime therapy improves facial symmetry and reduces the severity of paresis in people with facial nerve paresis.
Beurskens
Carien H G
CH
Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, The Netherlands. c.beurskens@fysiocss.umcn.nl
Heymans
Peter G
PG
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004324:Drama; D005146:Facial Asymmetry / Q000209:etiology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005158:Facial Paralysis / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D026421:Sensory Art Therapies / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome