Valacyclovir and Prednisolone Treatment for Bell's Palsy: A Multicenter, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study

Introduction: Inadequate recovery from Bell’s palsy exists in a third of patients and results in physical and social impairments. The controversial nature of existing medical treatment options means that novel, alternative approaches are needed. In basic and clinical studies, low-level laser therapy (LLLT) has proven successful in regenerating peripheral nerves. Laser acupuncture therapy (LAT) is a rapidly growing treatment modality; however, its effectiveness for treating chronic Bell’s palsy is unknown. The feasibility of this innovative approach is the focus of this pilot study. Methods: A two-armed, parallel, randomized, investigator-subject-assessor-blinded, sham-controlled pilot study was conducted, and 17 eligible subjects were randomly allocated to either LAT (n=8) or sham LAT (n=9). The LAT group received three treatments each week for six weeks (18 sessions), while the sham LAT group received the same procedure but with a sham laser device. The change from baseline to week 6 in the social subscale of the Facial Disability Index (FDI) was the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes were changes in the House-Brackmann facial paralysis scale (HB), the Sunnybrook facial grading system (SB) and a stiffness scale at weeks 3 and 6. Results: A significant difference was shown in the HB score (P=0.0438) between baseline and week 3 and borderline significance was observed in both SB and stiffness scores from baseline to week 6 (P=0.0598 and P=0.0980 respectively). There was no significant difference in the FDI score between baseline and week 6. Conclusion: To the best of our knowledge, this clinical trial is the first such investigation on this topic. Our findings suggest that using LAT may have clinical effects on long-term complications of Bell’s palsy and justify further large-scale studies.

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Valacyclovir and Prednisolone Treatment for Bell's Palsy

Otology & Neurotology ◽

10.1097/mao.0b013e3180306371 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol PAP ◽

Author(s):

Naohito Hato ◽

Hiroyuki Yamada ◽

Hisashi Kohno ◽

Shuichi Matsumoto ◽

Nobumitsu Honda ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Bell’S Palsy ◽

Bell's Palsy ◽

Prednisolone Treatment

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Can blood parameters be used to assess the recovery time of Bell's palsy patients? A retrospective case-controlled study

Praxis of Otorhinolaryngology ◽

10.5606/kbbu.2017.07769 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 5 (1) ◽

pp. 1-6

Author(s):

Sultan Şevik Eliçora

Keyword(s):

Recovery Time ◽

Blood Parameters ◽

Bell’S Palsy ◽

Controlled Study ◽

Bell's Palsy ◽

Retrospective Case

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Air pollution by NO2 is associated with the risk of Bell’s palsy: A nested case-controlled study

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-020-61232-7 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

So Young Kim ◽

Chanyang Min ◽

Jay Choi ◽

Bumjung Park ◽

Hyo Geun Choi

Keyword(s):

Air Pollution ◽

Bell’S Palsy ◽

Controlled Study ◽

Bell's Palsy

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Protocol for randomized controlled trial of electric stimulation with high-volt twin peak versus placebo for facial functional recovery from acute Bell’s palsy in patients with poor prognostic factors

Journal of Rehabilitation and Assistive Technologies Engineering ◽

10.1177/2055668320964142 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 7 ◽

pp. 205566832096414

Author(s):

Myriam Loyo ◽

Margaret McReynold ◽

Jess C Mace ◽

Michelle Cameron

Keyword(s):

Poor Prognosis ◽

Electric Stimulation ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Complete Recovery ◽

Bell’S Palsy ◽

Controlled Study ◽

Bell's Palsy ◽

High Quality ◽

Patient Reported ◽

Peak Versus

Background Electric stimulation (ES) can prevent muscle atrophy and promote tissue healing and therefore may help prevent sequelae of Bell’s palsy but due to lack of high-quality studies, the effectiveness of ES in Bell’s palsy remains controversial. Here we describe a protocol to evaluate the effects of monophasic high volt ES in patients with Bell’s palsy and poor prognosis for recovery. Results This is a protocol for a prospective, double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled study. Participants include adults with acute Bell’s palsy with poor prognosis for full recovery due to complete paralysis or being over age 60. ES will be a monophasic, high-volt pulsed waveform, 100μsec pulse duration, 35 hertz, motor-level intensity. Follow up will be at months 1, 2, 3 and 6. The primary outcome will be the proportion of patients with complete recovery using the eFACES tool. Secondary outcomes include patient reported quality of life measured by FaCE and the synkinesis assessment questionnaires, objective photographs, time to complete recovery, adverse effects, and tolerability. Conclusion This protocol has the potential to provide high quality evidence regarding the effects, up to 6 months after onset, of pulsed monophasic high-volt ES for patients with acute Bell’s palsy and poor prognosis for complete recovery.

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