LOW-LEVEL LASER THERAPY AS A TREATMENT FOR PERIPHERAL FACIAL PALSY

Abstract

The low-level laser therapy (LLLT) has been used in dentistry for more than 20 years in several areas, including oral medicine. The purpose of this case report is to describe a LLLT management of a patient with peripheral facial palsy. A 79-year-old woman with right-side facial nerve paralysis had taken physical therapy sessions 5 days a week for 8 successive weeks without any results. After 2 months of physical therapy sessions, she started the LLLT sessions, 1 day a week on the affected side. Results began to appear after 1 month of laser therapy. Currently, the patient reports a 90% improvement of clinical symptoms after 24 LLLT sessions. Although the lack of studies of LLLT in peripheral facial palsy, this particular application of laser therapy may play an important role in facial neuromuscular rehabilitation in this disorder. The low-level laser therapy (LLLT) has been used in dentistry for more than 20 years in several areas, including oral medicine. The purpose of this case report is to describe a LLLT management of a patient with peripheral facial palsy. A 79-year-old woman with right-side facial nerve paralysis had taken physical therapy sessions 5 days a week for 8 successive weeks without any results. After 2 months of physical therapy sessions, she started the LLLT sessions, 1 day a week on the affected side. Results began to appear after 1 month of laser therapy. Currently, the patient reports a 90% improvement of clinical symptoms after 24 LLLT sessions. Although the lack of studies of LLLT in peripheral facial palsy, this particular application of laser therapy may play an important role in facial neuromuscular rehabilitation in this disorder.