Usefulness of BFB/EMG in facial palsy rehabilitation.
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| 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). STUDY DESIGN: 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.
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| Authors | Elena Dalla Toffola, Daniela Bossi, Michelangelo Buonocore, Cristina Montomoli, Lucia Petrucci, Enrico Alfonsi |
| Journal | Disability and rehabilitation (Disabil Rehabil) Vol. 27 Issue 14 Pg. 809-15 (Jul 22 2005) ISSN: 0963-8288 [Print] England |
| PMID | 16096233 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article) |
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