NCT04412733

Brief Summary

Bell's palsy (idiopathic facial palsy) is the most common peripheral lesion of the cranial nerves and the most common mono-neuropathy. Therapeutic ultrasound (US) is among the commonly used physical modalities for treating musculoskeletal disorders. The effects of US are due to alteration of cell membrane activity, vascular wall permeability and facilitation of tissue healing. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of pulsed US treatment in patients with Bell's palsy when added to superficial heating, massage and exercise therapies.

Trial Health

87
On Track

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Enrollment
32

participants targeted

Target at P25-P50 for not_applicable

Timeline
Completed

Started Jun 2019

Shorter than P25 for not_applicable

Geographic Reach
1 country

1 active site

Status
completed

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

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Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

Study Start

First participant enrolled

June 1, 2019

Completed
10 months until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

March 20, 2020

Completed
Same day until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

March 20, 2020

Completed
2 months until next milestone

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

May 29, 2020

Completed
4 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

June 2, 2020

Completed
Last Updated

June 2, 2020

Status Verified

May 1, 2020

Enrollment Period

10 months

First QC Date

May 29, 2020

Last Update Submit

May 29, 2020

Conditions

Keywords

Bell's palsyfacial paralysispulsed ultrasound

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

  • Sunnybrook Facial Grading System

    Sunnybrook Facial Grading System is a scale used to assess facial function, and scores range from 0 (complete paralysis) to 100 (normal facial function). This scale provides a clinical score which combines a static and dynamic assessment of facial muscles with the degree of synkinesis.

    3 months

  • Hause Brackman Facial Nerve Grading System

    Hause Brackman Facial Nerve Grading System is based on a six-grade score ( I-VI) that offers a gross evaluation of facial motor function and also includes evaluation of sequelae.

    3 months

  • Facial Disability Index

    Facial Disability Index evaluates the disability of individuals with Bell's Palsy by a total of 10 questions which assess physical and social limitations.

    3 months

Secondary Outcomes (1)

  • Electrophysiologic Changes

    3 months

Study Arms (2)

Pulsed Ultrasound Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Patients in pulsed ultrasound group received pulsed ultrasound treatment (frequency: 1000 kHz, intensity: 0.5w/cm2, on-off ratio: 1:2 ) 5-min daily session, 5 days per weeks, for a total of 15 sessions.

Device: Therapeutic Pulsed Ultrasound

Sham Group

SHAM COMPARATOR

Control group received sham ultrasound with the same protocol.

Device: Sham Ultrasound

Interventions

Patients in pulsed ultrasound group received pulsed ultrasound treatment (frequency: 1000 kHz, intensity: 0.5w/cm2, on-off ratio: 1:2). Pulsed ultrasound treatment were applied with 5-cm2 head Enraf-Nonius Sonopuls 434 ultrasound device.

Pulsed Ultrasound Group

Control group received sham ultrasound treatment

Sham Group

Eligibility Criteria

Age18 Years - 65 Years
Sexall
Healthy VolunteersNo
Age GroupsAdult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

  • Aged 18-65 years
  • Clinically diagnosed as Bell's palsy by an ear nose and throat specialist.

You may not qualify if:

  • Central nervous system pathology
  • Recurrent Bell's palsy
  • Diabetes mellitus
  • Contraindications of ultrasound treatment
  • Active infection
  • Cancer
  • Pregnancy
  • Lactation
  • Open wound around application area

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (1)

Fatih Sultan Mehmet Training and Research Hospital

Istanbul, Ataşehir, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Bell PalsyFacial Paralysis

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Herpesviridae InfectionsDNA Virus InfectionsVirus DiseasesInfectionsMouth DiseasesStomatognathic DiseasesFacial Nerve DiseasesCranial Nerve DiseasesNervous System DiseasesParalysisNeurologic ManifestationsSigns and SymptomsPathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Study Officials

  • Meryem Yilmaz Kaysin, MD

    Fatih Sultan Mehmet Training and Research Hospital

    PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
not applicable
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
DOUBLE
Who Masked
PARTICIPANT, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
Purpose
TREATMENT
Intervention Model
PARALLEL
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

May 29, 2020

First Posted

June 2, 2020

Study Start

June 1, 2019

Primary Completion

March 20, 2020

Study Completion

March 20, 2020

Last Updated

June 2, 2020

Record last verified: 2020-05

Data Sharing

IPD Sharing
Will not share

Patients were separated into two groups as Group 1 (pulsed ultrasound therapy) and Group 2 (sham). Both groups were undergone to a conservative treatment program (20 min hot pack, massage 20 min and facial expression exercises) for 3 weeks, 5 days a week. In group 1 pulsed US treatment (frequency: 1000 kHz, intensity: 0.5w/cm2, on-off ratio: 1:2, duration 5 min) were applied to the paralyzed facial muscles. The patients in group 2 received exactly the same procedure as the treatment group, except that the power switch was off. All treatments were applied for 5 days a week for 3 weeks by the same 5-cm2 head US device (Enraf-Nonius Sonopuls 434) and the same physiotherapist. Patients were assessed at baseline, after last session, and 3 months after the treatment. Sunnybrook Facial Grading System, House Brackmann Facial Grading System and Facial Disability Index and electrophysiologic parameters were used for outcome evaluation.

Locations