Source
Department of Physiotherapy, University Medical Center Nijmegen, Nijmegen, The Netherlands. c.beurskens@umcn.nl
Abstract
OBJECTIVE:
Evaluation of the effect of mime therapy, a novel therapy combining mime and physiotherapy, for patients with longstanding (at least 9 months) sequelae of unilateral peripheral facial paralysis.
STUDY DESIGN:
Randomized clinical trial, with the treatment group receiving mime therapy and the control group forming a waiting list.
SETTING:
Physiotherapy outpatient department of two university medical centers.
PATIENTS:
There were 50 patients, 21 men and 29 women, with sequelae of facial paralysis and a mean House-Brackmann score of Grade IV.
INTERVENTION:
Mime therapy, including automassage, relaxation exercises, inhibition of synkinesis, coordination exercises, and emotional expression exercises.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:
Stiffness of the face, lip mobility (both lip and pout length) and the physical and social index of the Facial Disability Index.
RESULTS:
Stiffness, lip mobility, and both aspects of the Facial Disability Index improved substantially because of mime therapy.
CONCLUSIONS:
On the basis of present evidence, mime therapy is a good treatment choice for patients with sequelae of facial paralysis.