Effects of Photobiomodulation and Electrical Stimulation Among Bell's Palsy Patients

NCT07266636 | Not Yet Recruiting DMC

• 1 other identifier: UBAS/ERB/FoRS/25/037 Kashaf
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 34
• Locations: 0 countries
• Sites: N/A

Brief Summary

Despite promising evidence supporting both photobiomodulation (PBM) and electrical stimulation (ES) in Bell's palsy rehabilitation, key gaps remain in the literature. Few studies have directly compared these modalities under standardized conditions, especially while keeping facial exercises constant across groups. Inconsistent treatment parameters such as variations in PBM wavelength or ES intensity limit the comparability and replication of existing findings. Additionally, many studies rely on subjective outcome measures and lack structured timelines for assessing facial symmetry, neuromuscular coordination, or long-term recovery, including complications like synkinesis. These limitations highlight the need for a well-controlled comparative study to determine the more effective modality when paired with consistent facial rehabilitation exercises.

Conditions

Bell's Palsy

Keywords

Photobiomodulation; Electrical Muscle Stimulation; Facial Exercises

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• House-Brackmann Facial Nerve Grading System

  The HB scale categorizes facial nerve function into six grades, ranging from Grade I (normal function) to Grade VI (complete paralysis), based on assessments of symmetry at rest, degree of voluntary movement, and presence of synkinesis. It is widely used to assess the severity of facial palsy, monitor recovery after surgery or treatment, and track the progress of rehabilitation. The grading considers both resting facial appearance and movement during actions like raising the eyebrow and smiling

  Baseline After 6 weeks

Study Arms (2)

Photobiomodulation along with facial exercises

EXPERIMENTAL

Group A will receive Photobiomodulation therapy alongwith facial exercises. The intervention phase will last for 5-6 weeks, with participants receiving treatment 4-5 times per week, each session lasting 30-40 minutes, under therapist supervision.

Radiation: Photobiomodulation alongwith facial exercise

Electrical Muscle Stimulation alongwith facial exercises

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Group B will receive Electrical Muscle Stimulation therapy alongwith facial exercises. The intervention phase will last for 5-6 weeks, with participants receiving treatment 4-5 times per week, each session lasting 30-40 minutes, under therapist supervision. Group A

Other: Electrical Stimulation alongwith facial exercise

Interventions

Photobiomodulation alongwith facial exercise RADIATION

The intervention phase will last for 5-6 weeks, with participants receiving treatment 4-5 times per week, each session lasting 30-40 minutes, under therapist supervision. PBM therapy will be administered using a low-level laser therapy (LLLT) device, with appropriate settings (e.g., wavelength, energy density, and duration). Each session will focus on treating the affected facial regions. Facial Exercise will include manual therapy aimed at improving facial muscle tone, mobility, and circulation, customized for Bell's Palsy.

Photobiomodulation along with facial exercises

Electrical Stimulation alongwith facial exercise OTHER

The intervention phase will last for 5-6 weeks, with participants receiving treatment 4-5 times per week, each session lasting 30-40 minutes, under therapist supervision. EMS will be applied to the affected facial muscles using appropriate device settings. The therapy will focus on stimulating motor function and improving muscle tone. Facial Exercise will be performed as described above in Group 1 to aid in relaxation and muscle tone restoration.

Electrical Muscle Stimulation alongwith facial exercises

Eligibility Criteria

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

You may not qualify if:

• Participants with a middle ear infection, parotid gland tumor, malignant otitis externa, tumors in the base of the lateral skull, upper motor neuron facial palsy, segmental muscle weakness, recurrent episodes of facial paralysis, polyneuropathies and Ramsay Hunt Syndrome will be excluded from the study.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Lahore University of Biological and Applied Sciences: lead

Related Publications (4)

• Glass GE. Photobiomodulation: The Clinical Applications of Low-Level Light Therapy. Aesthet Surg J. 2021 May 18;41(6):723-738. doi: 10.1093/asj/sjab025.

  PMID: 33471046 RESULT

• Kim MH, Park SY. Population-based study and a scoping review for the epidemiology and seasonality in and effect of weather on Bell's palsy. Sci Rep. 2021 Aug 20;11(1):16941. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-96422-4.

  PMID: 34417505 RESULT

• Rasooly D, Ioannidis JPA, Khoury MJ, Patel CJ. Family History-Wide Association Study to Identify Clinical and Environmental Risk Factors for Common Chronic Diseases. Am J Epidemiol. 2019 Aug 1;188(8):1563-1568. doi: 10.1093/aje/kwz125.

  PMID: 31172187 RESULT

• Singh A, Deshmukh P. Bell's Palsy: A Review. Cureus. 2022 Oct 11;14(10):e30186. doi: 10.7759/cureus.30186. eCollection 2022 Oct.

  PMID: 36397921 RESULT

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Bell Palsy

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

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

Central Study Contacts

Kashaf Nadeem, DPT

CONTACT

+923169819979; kashafn52@gmail.com

Nabeela Dawood, MS-NMPT

CONTACT

+923315337445; nabeela.dawood@ubas.edu.pk

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: DOUBLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Masking Details: outcome assessor will be blind about participants allocation. This will ensure that their evaluations are objective and not influenced by knowledge of which treatment group participants belongs to. Participants in both groups will be masked to the treatment of the other group by scheduling their sessions at different times
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Model Details: Group A: The participants will recieve Photobiomodulation therapy alongwith facial exercises Group B: The participants will receive Electrical Muscle Stimulation alongwith facial exercises

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: November 24, 2025
• First Posted: December 5, 2025
• Study Start: November 25, 2025
• Primary Completion (Estimated): May 25, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): May 25, 2026
• Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-11

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share