1MSc Programme in Physical Education, Universidade Estadual de Londrina-UEM, Londrina, Brazil.
Clin Rehabil. 2011 Jul;25(7):649-58. doi: 10.1177/0269215510395634. Epub 2011 Mar 7.
The effectiveness of facial exercises therapy for facial palsy has been debated in systematic reviews but its effects are still not totally explained.
To perform a systematic review with meta-analysis to evaluate the effects of facial exercise therapy for facial palsy.
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'.
The inclusion criteria were studies with facial exercises, associated or not with mirror biofeedback, to treat facial palsy.
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).
Facial exercise therapy is effective for facial palsy for the outcome functionality.
系统评价和荟萃分析评估面部运动疗法治疗面瘫的效果。
1966 年至 2010 年，我们在以下数据库中进行了检索： Cochrane 对照试验注册库、Cochrane 疾病组试验注册库、MEDLINE、EMBASE、LILACS、PEDro、Scielo 和 DARE；使用了以下关键词：“特发性面瘫”、“面瘫”、“贝尔麻痹”、“物理治疗”、“运动技术”、“面部运动”、“模仿治疗”、“面部表情”、“按摩”和“随机对照试验”。
共发现 132 项研究，但只有 6 项符合纳入标准。所有研究均由两名独立的审查员按照 Cochrane 协作组手册（kappa 系数= 0.8）评估偏倚风险的建议进行评估。只有一项研究提供了足够的数据进行荟萃分析，并且实验组在功能方面有显著改善（标准化均数差（SMD）= 13.90；95%置信区间（CI）4.31，23.49；P = 0.005）。
对于面瘫的功能结局，面部运动疗法是有效的。
