The aim of this study is to determine comparative effects of mime therapy and action observation therapy on facial symmetry and quality of life in Bell's palsy. Bell's palsy is characterized as an abrupt paralysis of the peripheral facial nerve, typically without a known cause. Mime Therapy is a performing technique that helps patients regain the ability to use their face muscles. Action observation therapy is novel rehabilitation approach exploiting this mirror mechanism.
This randomized clinical trial will be conducted at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in 7 months. 62 participants with Bell's palsy will be included as per sample size calculation through convenience sampling technique. Participants which meet inclusion criteria will be randomly allocated using online randomization tool into two groups. Group A will receive Mime therapy for 30 minutes with short resting interval and Group B will receive action observation therapy for 30 minutes. Each group will receive treatment session of 5 days per week for 6 weeks. Facial symmetry will be measured using the 13-item Sunny Brook facial Grading System, Facial disability index will be used to assess the quality of life and The House-Brackmann Facial Nerve Grading System will be used to characterize the degree of facial paralysis. The data will be analyzed using SPSS version 24 for Windows software.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
62
Mime therapy consist of: Self massage: patients will be taught to massage their face and neck daily for about 10 minutes which includes effleurage and kneading of both sides of face. Breathing exercises: patient will be taught to recognize tension and feel the difference between tension and relaxation in facial musculature for 5 minutes. Expiration exercises will be used to induce relaxation. Articulation: vowels such as a,e,i,o,u and consonants such as p and b will be used to teach position of the lips for 5 minutes. Facial expression exercises: forehead wrinkle, smiling, eye closure, frowning, disgust, surprise, anger, sadness will be performed for 10 minutes
Function of each of the muscle is observed for 3 minutes and then executed for 2 minutes. Frontalis (Raising eyebrows and forehead wrinkling). Corrugator Supercili (Moving the eyebrow down and inward toward the nose and inner eye). Orbicularis oculi (Closing the eyelids). Buccinator (Blowing air in and out of the mouth). Zygomaticus major (Smiling). Orbicularis oris (Lip pursing or puckering).
Riphah International University
Lahore, Punjab Province, Pakistan
Sunny Brook Facial Grading System
The system includes three components: resting symmetry, the symmetry of voluntary movements, and synkinesis. A composite facial symmetry score is calculated as \[4 × symmetry of voluntary movement - 5 × resting asymmetry + 1 × synkinesis\] with 100 representing normal facial symmetry.
Time frame: 6th week
Facial Disability Index
it is used to assess the quality of life in patients with bell's palsy. It also helps to measure the difficulties of the face in activities of daily living. It represents the relationship between impairments, disability, and psychosocial status and also focuses on the disability of individuals with disorders of the facial motor system. The individual subscales are scored out of a total of 100 where the highest score is the best result.
Time frame: 6th week
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.