Photobiomodulation Therapy for Idiopathic Facial Paralysis

Objective: Bell's palsy is characterized by acute, unilateral onset that compromises function and esthetics, exerting a considerable impact on the social, professional, and psychological aspects of the lives of affected individuals. Without treatment, 30% of patients with complete paralysis will not completely recover. Therefore, shortening the recovery time will accelerate the recovery process leading to better results. The objective of this study was to determine whether photobiomodulation therapy with laser acupuncture therapy could relieve symptoms in patients with Bell's palsy. Methods: This study was an open-label, randomized controlled trial including 96 patients that undergoing Bell's palsy. All the patients received oral vitamin B1. Patients were assigned to the laser acupuncture (LA) group and control group, with 102 patients in each group. LA group were received 4 weeks of Laser treatment (3 times per week), while control group were received sham laser treatment. Clinical outcome measure comprised the House-Brackmann grading system, Facial Clinimetric Evaluation Scale (FaCE), Sunnybrook facial grading scale (SBFG), and electrophysiological testing, including Electroneuronography (ENoG), Electromyography (EMG) and Blink Reflex. All the measurements were collected at the first day and at the end of study. All reported P values were two-sided and were declared statistically significant when less than 0.05.