Efficacy of electromagnetic therapy on facial asymmetry in patients with chronic bell's palsy

Abstract EN

Bell's palsy is characterized by partial or complete paralysis of facial muscles.

Electromagnetic therapy enhances nerve regeneration and neural growth by inducing modification in the micro-environment around and within the cell, as well as in the cell membrane.

Aim: To evaluate the effect of electromagnetic therapy on facial asymmetry in patients with chronic bell’s palsy.

Materials and Methods: Thirty patients (male and female), with chronic bell’s palsy, aged 25 to 45 years participated in the study.

They were randomly assigned to two equal groups.

Group A (experimental group) received Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy (PEMFT) in addition to standard physical therapy program while group B (control group) received standard physical therapy program.

Patients in both groups were evaluated pre- and post-treatment for facial asymmetry using the House-Brackmann (HB) facial nerve grading system and for facial nerve degeneration using electroneurography (ENog).

Results: Both groups (group A and group B) showed significant increase on the HB facial nerve grading system and significant decrease in the percentage of facial nerve degeneration.

Additionally, there was significant difference in HB facial nerve grading system and percentage of facial nerve degeneration between both groups, post treatment (p=0.001 and p=0.005) respectively.

Conclusion: Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy added to standard physical therapy program results in better improvement of facial asymmetry and decreases facial nerve degeneration in in patients with chronic bell’s palsy.