Effectiveness of Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Fecilitation and Neuromuscular Re–Education for Reducing Facial Disability and Synkinesis in Patients with Bells Palsy: A Comparative study

BACKGROUND: Peripheral facial palsy is the most frequent cranial neuropathy and can originate from various kinds of damage to the seventh cranial nerve. Bells palsy is the most common form of peripheral facial palsy in adults, with an annual incidence of 20-30 cases. No gender, side, annual or seasonal differences have been noted. Recurrence rate is about 10%. The on set of Bells palsy is sudden. METHODOLOGY: 30 Patients with acute idiopathic facial palsy were selected for this study on the selection crieteria, 15 in each group (males and females). Subjections in Group A were treated with proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation technique and subjects in Group B were treated with neuromuscular reeducation technique. Both the group received intervention for 4 weeks. The baseline and post test score were measured by using SunnyBrook Facial Grading Scale. RESULT: There is a significant difference in functional independence between patients receiving neuromuscular facilitation and neuromuscular re–education treatment. CONCLUSION: Finally the study concluded that four weeks of training program with proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation showed significant improvement when compared to the neuromuscular re-education technique