Bell's Palsy Research Paper

Bell’s palsy is defined as being a peripheral palsy of the facial nerve, resulting in unilateral muscle weakness of the face. Usually developing over one to three days, this facial paralysis typically reverses itself and normal function is restored without any medical intervention. In the rare case that it does not correct itself and treatment is necessary; medications, surgery, and physical therapy are indicated to assist in helping restore facial function. Goodman and Fuller state that “Bell’s palsy affects 20 of 100,000 people each year” (Goodman and Fuller 879). This condition is more common in middle aged women (around 40 years of age), pregnant women, or patients with diabetes mellitus (Goodman and Fuller 879). In Bell’s palsy, the …show more content…
Physical therapy treatment for Bell’s palsy can include: heat, massage, ultrasound, facial exercises, and in some cases electrical stimulation. As stated by Shafshak, prior to any physical therapy modality or exercise it is recommended that localized superficial heat be applied for fifteen minutes to the affected side of the face (4). The use of massage in physical therapy treatment of Bell’s palsy is to increase or enhance circulation to the affected area, as well as prevention of contractures. Research is inconclusive on if electrical stimulation aids in rehabilitation of Bell’s palsy symptoms and side effects. Those who find it useful state that its use is dependent on the pathology of involvement of the facial nerve and will thereby help preserve muscle bulk, while at the same time helping the patient’s psychological state by allowing them to see their muscles contract. Those who oppose electrical stimulation indicate that it is a suppressor of neuronal sprouting and therefore should not be used (Goodman and Fuller 880). Electrical stimulation, if used, is to be stopped immediately when muscle fatigue is shown. Another form of physical therapy for Bell’s palsy is facial exercises performed in front of a mirror to improve the function of the paralyzed musculature, while at the same time helping to decrease or prevent muscular atrophy. It is recommended that the patients perform facial exercises twice a day. A facial grading scale or paresis index score can be used to track the patient’s progress (Goodman and Fuller 880). Ultrasound is a modality that is rarely used in treatment; however, it has shown in some studies to be beneficial. It is only used when contractures are present and should not be used near the patient’s