Traumatic brain injury, stroke and other neurological conditions may result in weakness of the muscles that either open or close the eye. This is generally a result of impaired functioning of the oculomotor or facial cranial nerves. Current treatments to improve eye opening or closing are either invasive or largely ineffective. This study tests a noninvasive means of improving eyelid opening and closing by applying a previously demonstrated safe and effective neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) intervention to the muscles controlling eyelid movement. Participants in this study will either receive the investigational NMES protocol 30 min per day for five days or a sham NMES for the same period. The primary outcome for this study is the participants' ability to open or close their affected eye. Secondary outcomes include additional measures of eye and corneal health.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
TRIPLE
Enrollment
26
A low level electrical current is applied to the muscle that control eyelid function through small electrodes applied to the skin over the target muscles. Treatment is applied daily for 5 consecutive days and exercises for eyelid function are performed in conjunction with the stimulation.
Electrodes are applied to the skin over the target muscles and patient perform the exercises for eyelid function for 5 consecutive days just as in the experimental group, However participants do not receive the electrical stimulation. Due to the low intensity of the stimulation all participants regardless of group allocation are told they may or may not feel the electrical stimulation.
Brooks Rehabilitation
Jacksonville, Florida, United States
Marginal reflex distance-1 (MRD-1)
Measure of eyelid function for participants with CN III or CN VII palsy
Time frame: Within 1 week of last treatment session.
Palpebral fissure height
Measure of eyelid function for participants with CN III or CN VII palsy
Time frame: Within 1 week of last treatment session.
World Health Organization Quality of Life - BREF (WHOQOL-BREF)
Measure of Quality of Life for participants with CN III or CN VII palsy
Time frame: Within 1 week of last treatment session.
Upper eyelid crease distance
Measure of eyelid function in participants with CN III or CN VII palsy
Time frame: Within 1 week of last treatment session.
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