OBSERVATION ON THE CURATIVE EFFECT OF FACIAL PNF TECHNOLOGY COMBINED WITH MIRROR THERAPY IN THE TREATMENT OF PERIPHERAL FACIAL PARALYSIS.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of facial proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) combined with mirror therapy (MT) in the treatment of acute peripheral facial paralysis (PFP).

METHODS

A single-center, randomized controlled trial (RCT) was conducted between December 2022 and June 2024 at Ziyang Central Hospital. A total of 34 patients with acute PFP (disease duration ≤7 days) were randomly assigned to the experimental group (n=17) or the control group (n=17) in a 1:1 ratio. Both groups received standardized conventional treatment (pharmacotherapy + acupuncture + intermediate-frequency pulse electrical stimulation + ultrashort wave therapy) and facial PNF training. The key of drug treatment is to use intravenous dexamethasone 10 mg as early as possible, once a day, and gradually reduce the dose after 5 days of continuous use, and then stop the drug, with a total course of 10 days. Additionally, the experimental group underwent mirror therapy synchronously. The primary outcome was the Facial Clinimetric Evaluation (FaCE) scale score at 4 weeks post-treatment. Secondary outcomes included House-Brackmann (HB) grading (assessed at baseline, 2 weeks, 4 weeks, and full recovery) and Clinical Recovery Time.

RESULTS

Baseline characteristics were well-balanced between the two groups (all P>0.05). At 4 weeks, the median (IQR) FaCE score in the experimental group [67 (62, 71)] was significantly higher than that in the control group [39 (30, 47)] (W=249.50, P<0.001). The experimental group also achieved a significantly shorter mean ± SD Clinical Recovery Time (32±8 days vs. 47±8 days, t=-5.19, P<0.001) and a higher proportion of HB Grade I (normal function) at 4 weeks (52.94% vs. 5.88%, P=0.015) compared with the control group. At full recovery, the experimental group maintained a higher FaCE score (P=0.015) and a trend toward more patients achieving HB Grade I (64.71% vs. 35.29%, P=0.086). No adverse events were reported in either group.

CONCLUSION

Facial PNF combined with mirror therapy significantly improves facial function, shortens recovery time, and exhibits good safety in patients with acute PFP, making it a promising rehabilitation strategy.