Myofunctional Therapy in Facial Palsy

Improvement of Facial Symmetry With Myofunctional Therapy Combined to Botulinum Toxin Injections in Long Standing Facial Paralysis

Objective: Quantify the benefits of myofunctional therapy associated to botulinum toxin injection in patients with long standing facial unilateral palsy.

Twenty-five patients with long standing facial palsy were studied; all had been previously treated for facial reanimation. Patients were randomly divided in two groups; Group A did the myofunctional therapy sessions with the speech therapist before the botulinum toxin injection, while the participants of Group B did the myofunctional therapy after it.

Inclusion Criteria:

• facial paralysis with more than 2 years elapsed since the onset of symptoms
• surgically treated for reanimation at least 12 months before
• static and/or dynamic facial asymmetry causing aesthetic concern

Exclusion Criteria:

• spastic paralysis
• serious systemic or neuromuscular diseases
• cognition impairment
• pregnant women