Exploring Muscle Energy Technique as A Physiotherapeutic Intervention for Peripheral Facial Palsy: A Pilot Report


Year : 2024 | Volume : 02 | Issue : 02 | Page : 21-29
    By

    Dimpi Phukan,

  • Kangkan Talukdar,

  • Ankur Jyoti Bora,

  1. Research Scholar, Department of Physiotherapy, Jorhat Medical College & Hospital, Assam, India
  2. Lecturer, Department of Physiotherapy, Jorhat Medical College & Hospital, Assam, India
  3. Senior Physiotherapist cum course coordinator, Department of Physiotherapy, Jorhat Medical College & Hospital, Assam, India

Abstract

Background: Peripheral facial palsy results from damage to the peripheral branches of the facial nerve, often presenting as a sudden weakness in the muscles on one side of the face. Research on the application of muscle energy technique (MET) for treating this condition is scarce. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of MET in the treatment of peripheral facial palsy. Methods: 15 patients suffering from peripheral facial palsy attending Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department for physiotherapy were included in the study to assess their collective impact. The study spanned a duration of 2 weeks, utilizing a combination of muscle energy technique and electrical muscle stimulation as interventions. Treatment duration of one session were approximately 30 minutes. Three measuring tools were taken namely Sunnybrook Facial grading scale((SFGS), House Brackmann Scale (HBS) and Facial Disability Index (FDI). The data collection for the study is conducted on the 1st ,7th and 14th day. Results: There are statistically significant differences between the 1st, 7th, and 14th sessions for FDI-physical function sub-scale, HBS, and SFGS scores, with all mean differences being negative (1st < 7th < 14th), and p-values of 0.000, supported by the 95% confidence intervals. However, for FDI-Social function sub-scale, there are no significant differences, as all p-values (0.255, 0.499, 0.290) exceed 0.05, and the confidence intervals include zero. Overall, MET is effective for improving physical and nerve function, though its impact on social functioning may require longer-term evaluation. Conclusions: MET demonstrated a noticeable beneficial impact on the patients. MET effectively enhances physical and nerve function, but its effect on social functioning may need extended evaluation. The results confirm that the treatment is effective for peripheral facial palsy, especially in the early stages of recovery.

Keywords: Peripheral facial palsy, muscle energy technique, sunny brook facial grading scale, facial disability index, house brackmann scale

[This article belongs to International Journal of Orthopedic Nursing and Practices (ijornp)]

How to cite this article:
Dimpi Phukan, Kangkan Talukdar, Ankur Jyoti Bora. Exploring Muscle Energy Technique as A Physiotherapeutic Intervention for Peripheral Facial Palsy: A Pilot Report. International Journal of Orthopedic Nursing and Practices. 2024; 02(02):21-29.
How to cite this URL:
Dimpi Phukan, Kangkan Talukdar, Ankur Jyoti Bora. Exploring Muscle Energy Technique as A Physiotherapeutic Intervention for Peripheral Facial Palsy: A Pilot Report. International Journal of Orthopedic Nursing and Practices. 2024; 02(02):21-29. Available from: https://journals.stmjournals.com/ijornp/article=2024/view=186791


References

  1. Nakano H, Hiraoka M, Nakajima Y, Sugiyama T, Ito S, Tanaka M, et al. Physical therapy for peripheral facial palsy: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Auris Nasus Larynx. 2024;51(1):154-160.
  2. Gupta S, Gupta V. Incidence and management of Bell’s palsy in peripheral facial paralysis cases. Int J Res Med Sci. 2022;10(3):644-9.
  3. Park JH, Lee YJ, Ryu HM, Lee SJ, Park EJ, Song CH, Kim CH, Yoon HM. Effects of Muscle Energy Technique of Upper Trapezius and Sternocleidomastoid Muscles on Bell’s Palsy. J Acupunct Res. 2017;34(4):190-6.
  4. Jo N, Roh J. The clinical research of the effectiveness of muscle energy technique (MET) on peripheral facial paralysis. J Korean Med. 2016;37(2):45-52.
  5. Thomas E, Cavallaro AR, Mani D, Bianco A, Palma A. The efficacy of muscle energy techniques in symptomatic and asymptomatic subjects: a systematic review. Chiropr Man Therap. 2019 Aug 27;27:35.
  6. Goodridge JP. Muscle energy technique: definition, explanation, methods of procedure. J Am Osteopath Assoc. 1981 Dec;81(4):249-54.
  7. Yoo MC, Kim JH, Kim YJ, Jung J, Kim SS, Kim SH, Yeo SG. Effects of Electrical Stimulation on Facial Paralysis Recovery after Facial Nerve Injury: A Review on Preclinical and Clinical Studies. J Clin Med. 2023 Jun 19;12(12):4133.
  8. Guzelant YA, Sarifakioglu AB, Saraçoğlu GV, Can I, Ünal A. Impact of electrical stimulation on rehabilitation process in peripheral facial paralysis. Acta Medica Mediterranea. 2014;30(6):1375-1379.
  9. Mehrotra M, Reddy V, Singh P. Neuroanatomy, Stellate Ganglion. In: StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024.
  10. Tian T, Moore AM, Ghareeb PA, Boulis NM, Ward PJ. A Perspective on Electrical Stimulation and Sympathetic Regeneration in Peripheral Nerve Injuries. Neurotrauma Rep. 2024 Mar 4;5(1):172-180. doi: 10.1089/neur.2023.0133. PMID: 38463421; PMCID: PMC10924057.
  11. Tuncay F, Borman P, Taser B, Ünlü I, Samim E. Role of electrical stimulation added to conventional therapy in patients with idiopathic facial (Bell) palsy. Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2015;94(3):222–8.
  12. Kim J, Choi JY. The effect of subthreshold continuous electrical stimulation on the facial function of patients with Bell’s palsy. Acta Oto-Laryngol. 2015;136(1):100–5.
  13. Myung Chul Y, Kim H, Lee H, et al. Effects of electrical stimulation on facial paralysis recovery after facial nerve injury: a review on preclinical and clinical studies. J Clin Med. 2023;12(12):4133.
  14. Burelo-Peregrino E, Olguín-García M, Martínez-Fernández R, et al. Efficacy of electrotherapy in Bell’s palsy treatment: A systematic review. J Back Musculoskelet Rehabil. 2020;33(5):865-874.
  15. Puls WC, Goetz A, Wiemann M, Baranowski A, Hartmann S, Voigt M. Surface electrical stimulation for facial paralysis is not harmful. Muscle Nerve. 2020;61(3):347-53.
  16. Hotton M, Huggons E, Hamlet C, et al. The psychosocial impact of facial palsy: a systematic review. Br J Health Psychol. 2020;25(3):695-727.

Regular Issue Subscription Original Research
Volume 02
Issue 02
Received 13/11/2024
Accepted 22/11/2024
Published 02/12/2024