Facial
Neuromuscular
Retraining Program
Treatment
Program
Clinical Studies
Indications
for Referral
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In 1982, Balliet et al described a comprehensive
clinical program that combined EMG feedback, mirror exercises and
a detailed home exercise program and demonstrated improved function
with patients with more than two years post facial nerve injury.
In 1991, Ross et al compared two
treatment groups with a third control group that received no treatment.
5 All patients were more than 18 months post Bell's palsy or acoustic
neuroma excision with facial nerve paresis. One group was treated
with EMG feedback and mirror exercises, the second group received
mirror exercises alone and the third group had no treatment. Patients
in both treatment groups demonstrated improvement in facial motor
control, excursion of movement and decreased synkinesis. The control
group showed no change. A follow-up study one year later showed
that the gains were maintained without continued treatment.
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