Comparison of the effect of mime therapy versus conventional therapy on the sunnybrook facial grading system in patients with acute bell's palsy

Abstract

Background: Facial resting symmetry and expressions are determinants of facial attractiveness & being a marker of good health. Mime therapy is a combination of mime and physiotherapy and aims to promote symmetry of the face at rest and during movement. The objective of this study is to compare the effect of Mime therapy and conventional therapy on the facial functions in patients with acute Bell's palsy. Method: The quasi-experimental study was conducted at SBB College of physiotherapy. A convenience sample was taken consisting of 30 participant s, 10 in each group. Group A received Mime therapy. Group B, conventional therapy and Group C received home exercise program. Facial symmetry at rest and movement was assessed through Sunnybrook facial grading scale (FGS) after completion of 10 sessions to each group. At the end of treatment, response to treatment was assessed by the Patient's global impression of change scale (PGIC). Level of significance was kept at 5%. Result: Analysis of variance was used to compare all outcomes. At the end of 10 sessions, scores on Sunnybrook FGS (p<0.001) and PGIC (p<0.001) shows significant difference within and between groups. Post hoc Bonferroni test was used for multiple comparisons. FGS shows significant differences between groups A&B (p<0.001) and groups A&C (p<0.001). But no significant difference was seen between groups B&C(p=1.00). PGIC scale shows significant differences between groups A&B (p<0.001) and A&C (p<0.001) but no significant difference was seen betwee n groupsB&C (p=1. 00). Conclusion: Mime therapy improves facial symmetry and functions more than conventional therapy and home exercises in people with acute Bells' Palsy. No difference was found between conventional therapy and home exercise program.