Effectiveness of Electrical Stimulation With Mime Therapy Versus Electrical Stimulation With Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation on Improving Facial Asymmetry and Quality of Life in Patients With Bell's Palsy

NCT07028138 | Not Yet Recruiting DMC

• 1 other identifier: ShalamarIHSSSAHS
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 38
• Locations: 0 countries
• Sites: N/A

Brief Summary

To compare the effect of electrical stimulation with mime therapy versus electrical stimulation with proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation on improving facial asymmetry and quality of life in patients with Bell's palsy.

Conditions

Bell Palsy

Keywords

PNF; ES

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• improving facial asymmetry

  Outcome measures will include the Facial Disability Index (FDI), assessing both physical and social function, and the Sunnybrook Facial Grading System, used to evaluate facial symmetry, voluntary movement, and synkinesis before and during treatment

  6 weeks

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• improved Quality of life (SF-12 scores)

  6 weeks

Study Arms (2)

electrical stimulation with mime therapy

OTHER

Mime therapy will begin with manual facial massage techniques such as tapping, stroking, and hacking, aimed at improving blood circulation and stimulating muscle activity. This will be followed by breathing and relaxation exercises to reduce muscular tension. Stretching exercises will then be performed on the affected side, including sustained pressure on trigger points in the forehead, eyes, nostrils, lips, and neck for approximately two minutes. Facial movement exercises such as eyebrow raising, eye closure, frowning, snarling, smiling, and pouting will be practiced, with each movement repeated 15 times and held for 5 to 10 seconds to encourage neuromuscular re-education. Each session will last 30 minutes and will be conducted three times per week over a six-week period.

Other: electrical stimulation with mime therapy

electrical stimulation with proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF)

OTHER

Group B will undergo electrical stimulation followed by proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF). The same stimulation parameters as Group A will be used. PNF techniques will include a series of resisted facial movements such as closed-mouth smiling, lip pursing, mouth angle elevation, lower lip depression, chin tightening, and wide mouth opening, each performed with resistance and held for five seconds. These will be followed by tongue exercises including forward protrusion, elevation toward the nose, and lateral movement to both sides, with each held for five seconds. Each session will last 30 minutes and follow the same frequency and duration as Group A.

Other: electrical stimulation with mime therapy

Interventions

electrical stimulation with mime therapy OTHER

A total of 38 Bell's palsy patients will be randomly selected and divided into two equal groups at Shalamar Hospital. Group A will receive mime therapy with electrical stimulation, including facial massage, relaxation, stretching, and facial movement exercises. Group B will undergo electrical stimulation followed by proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) with resisted facial and tongue exercises. Each group will receive 30-minute sessions, three times per week, for six weeks. Outcomes will be assessed using the Facial Disability Index (FDI), Sunnybrook Facial Grading System, and SF-12 quality of life scale. Evaluations will be conducted at baseline, after one month, and at a 2-3 month follow-up.

Also known as: electrical stimulation with proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation

electrical stimulation with mime therapy; electrical stimulation with proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF)

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 25 Years - 45 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Idiopathic Bell's Palsy Subacute and acute Bell's Palsy

You may not qualify if:

• UMNL facial palsy patient Non-compliant patient Patient with any psychiatric issues Patients with Dental implants Patients with any Skin condition Patients with Stroke related Bell's Palsy

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Shalamar Institute of Health Sciences: lead

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Bell Palsy

Interventions

Electric Stimulation; Muscle Stretching Exercises

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Herpesviridae Infections; DNA Virus Infections; Virus Diseases; Infections; Mouth Diseases; Stomatognathic Diseases; Facial Nerve Diseases; Cranial Nerve Diseases; Nervous System Diseases

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Physical Stimulation; Investigative Techniques; Exercise Therapy; Rehabilitation; Aftercare; Continuity of Patient Care; Patient Care; Therapeutics; Physical Therapy Modalities; Exercise; Motor Activity; Movement; Musculoskeletal Physiological Phenomena; Musculoskeletal and Neural Physiological Phenomena

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT
• Purpose: OTHER
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Model Details: electrical stimulation with mime therapy versus electrical stimulation with proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation on improving facial asymmetry and quality of life in patients with Bell's palsy

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: June 11, 2025
• First Posted: June 19, 2025
• Study Start: August 28, 2025
• Primary Completion: November 29, 2025
• Study Completion: December 29, 2025
• Last Updated: June 19, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-06