Report by Susan Buttress, Research Physiotherapist

A short cut review was carried out to establish whether elec-trical stimulation had any advantages over facial exercises in promoting recovery after Bell’s palsy. Altogether 270 papers were found using the reported search, of which one presented the best evidence to answer the clinical question. The author, date, and country of publication, patient group studied, study type, relevant outcomes, results, and study weaknesses of this best paper are tabulated. A clinical bottom line is stated. Clinical scenario A 50 year old presents with Bell’s palsy. You have heard that physiotherapy is an effective treatment but wonder whether facial exercises produce a better outcome than treatment with electrical stimulation