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Efficacy of electrotherapy in Bell’s palsy treatment: A systematic review

Authors :
Crystell Guadalupe Guzmán-Priego
Isela Esther Juárez-Rojop
Marisol Salas-Magaña
Pedro Iván Arias-Vázquez
María Lilia López-Narváez
Carlos Alfonso Tovilla-Zárate
Elena Guadalupe Burelo-Peregrino
Thelma Beatriz González-Castro
Deysi Y. Bermúdez-Ocaña
Source :
Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation. 33:865-874
Publication Year :
2020
Publisher :
IOS Press, 2020.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Up to now there is not enough evidence that supports the use of electrotherapy in the treatment of Bell’s palsy. OBJECTIVE: Through a systematic review, we aimed to verify whether the use of electrotherapy is effective for treating Bell’s palsy or peripheral paralysis. METHODS: Publications were searched in PubMed, EBSCO and Web of Science. The present systematic review included studies that analyzed the electrotherapy as a therapeutic method for treating individuals with Bell’s palsy, in order to recover the function of facial muscles. RESULTS: Seven studies involving a total of 131 cases and 113 controls were included in this systematic review. In the studies analyzed, patients received electrotherapy combined with other treatments such as hot-wet facial napkins, massages and muscle reeducation. Although the effect of electrotherapy alone was not evaluated, the use of electrotherapy combined with other treatments produced a significant improvement in the individuals evaluated. CONCLUSIONS: Due to the diverse methodologies used and the small number of individuals included in the studies, we could not fully prove the efficacy of electrotherapy for treating Bell’s Palsy. Future studies with larger samples and homogenous populations should be performed to obtain conclusive results.

Details

ISSN :
18786324 and 10538127
Volume :
33
Database :
OpenAIRE
Journal :
Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation
Accession number :
edsair.doi.dedup.....f06df8e4beb21f8dc3e6c454b019b541