Background: Facial nerve palsy can have
ophthalmological, Otological, rhinological, taste,
and swallowing consequences, in addition to the
psychological impact of altered facial expression.
Electrical Stimulation (ES) is one of the most
debatable and non-evidence-based adjunctive
therapies for facial palsy.
MATERIAL/METHODS
We retrieved the literature on ES in facial nerve
injury using the Cochrane Database of Systematic
Reviews, PubMed, and Google Scholar. Emphasis
was placed on articles and randomised controlled
trials (RCTs) published within the last 20 years.
Results: The reviewed studies, clinical trials and
systematic reviews did not support ES due to a
lack of quality evidence to support significant
b e n e fi t o r h a r m fr o m E S . T h e v a ri e d
methodologies used and the small number of
subjects included in the studies could not wholly
prove the efficacy of electrotherapy for treating
facial nerve injury.
CONCLUSION
T h o u g h m a n y s t u d i e s h a v e r e p o rt e d
improvement of facial movement or function
following ES for facial nerve injury, substantial
evidence supporting the use of ES in facial palsy is
lacking; well-designed rigorous research is
required.
KEYWORDS
Electrical Stimulation, Facial Nerve Palsy, Facial
Paralysis