Impact of Electrical Stimulation on Rehabilitation Process in Peripheral Facial Paralysis

Abstract

Aim: The purpose of this study is to discuss the efficiency of electrical stimulation in the treatment of facial paralysis, and its contribution to the rehabilitation process and, its impact on recovery. Material and methods: 18 cases were enrolled into the study who were diagnosed with ficial paralysis and consulted within the first month, and have been receiving medical treatment. Home exercise program was given to all patients. The first group was followed-up with hospital rehabilitation program that included electrical stimulation, while the second group was organized to recieve only home exercise program. Functional response to treatment was assessed by the House-Brackmann scale grading system. Results: House-Brackmann scale scores of rehabilitation program and electrical stimulation patient group, were compared pre-and post-treatment, clinical improvement was observed more significantly in the 6th week. There. was no significant difference between House-Brackmann scale scores in pre-treatment and the 69 week visits of the patients in home exercise program group (p = 0.16). However, the Houser-Brackmann scale scores were detected to be statistically significantly different between pre-and 6 months after the treatment in both of the treatment groups (p = 0.005). Conclusion: As a result, the recovery time is faster in the patients treated with the rehabilitation group that includes electrical stimulation. Therefore electrical stimulation therapy is an acceptable effective method for the treatment of facial paralysis, nonetheless this should be investigated in larger patient groups, in future.