Article

The effectiveness of facial exercises therapy for facial palsy has been debated
in systematic reviews but its effects are still not totally explained. OBJECTIVE:
To perform a systematic review with meta-analysis to evaluate the effects of
facial exercise therapy for facial palsy. DATA SOURCES:
A search was performed in
the following databases: Cochrane Controlled Trials Register Library, Cochrane
Disease Group Trials Register, MEDLINE, EMBASE, LILACS, PEDro, Scielo and DARE
from 1966 to 2010; the following keywords were used: 'idiopathic facial palsy',
'facial paralysis', 'Bell's palsy', 'physical therapy', 'exercise movement
techniques', 'facial exercises', 'mime therapy' 'facial expression', 'massage'
and 'randomized controlled trials'. Review methods: The inclusion criteria were
studies with facial exercises, associated or not with mirror biofeedback, to
treat facial palsy. RESULTS: One hundred and thirty-two studies were found but
only six met the inclusion criteria. All the studies were evaluated by two
independent reviewers, following the recommendations of Cochrane Collaboration
Handbook for assessment of risk of bias (kappa coefficient = 0.8). Only one study
presented sufficient data to perform the meta-analysis, and significant
improvements in functionality was found for the experimental group (standardized
mean difference (SMD) = 13.90; 95% confidence interval (CI) 4.31, 23.49; P = 0.005). CONCLUSION: Facial exercise therapy is effective for facial palsy for the outcome functionality.

Langue : ANGLAIS