Bell Palsy

Researchers are evaluating outcomes of facial reanimation surgeries in patients with extensive, permanent, unilateral mid-facial paralysis from various causes. The study aims to compare facial disability and patient perceptions of facial appearance, well-being, and satisfaction among four groups undergoing different types of free gracilis muscle transfer surgeries. The investigation also compares surgeons' assessments with objective 3D analyses to determine the usefulness of 3D measures as outcome tools. This prospective observational study includes patients aged 18 to 75 scheduled for facial muscle reconstruction with one of four nerve innervation methods: trigeminal nerve graft, cross-face nerve graft, dual innervation, or midfacial modification involving nerve coaptation and selective neurolysis. Participants will be recruited from a single treatment center and followed at three visits: before surgery, and at 5 and 18 months after surgery to track changes in facial movement and patient well-being. At each visit, patients complete psychosocial questionnaires assessing the impact of paralysis and recovery, undergo 3D dynamic facial movement recordings, static 3D facial photography, and video recordings of facial animations. Data collected include facial impairment and disfigurement measures, patient-centered quality of life questionnaires, and comparisons of clinical scoring with 3D objective assessments. The total study duration for each participant is 18 months, focusing on long-term surgical outcomes.

This research aims to compare two surgical techniques, anterior and posterior white line advancement, for correcting primary aponeurotic ptosis in adults. The study seeks to determine if the anterior approach improves eyelid position, measured by Marginal Reflex Distance 1 (MRD1), better at 6 months than the posterior approach. It also evaluates differences in eyelid symmetry, contour, vision, and patient satisfaction between the two methods. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: one receiving the anterior approach involving a skin crease incision to access and advance the levator aponeurosis, and the other receiving the posterior approach, which uses a conjunctival incision without a skin cut. Both surgeries involve advancing the white line to the anterior tarsus using sutures. The study includes follow-up visits at 7 days, 2 months, and 6 months after surgery. During these visits, researchers will measure eyelid position and symmetry, evaluate eyelid contour using both software and masked evaluators, and test vision and tear film stability. Patients will also complete surveys on dry eye symptoms, scar quality, satisfaction, and psychosocial function. Surgical time and complications will be monitored. All images and data will be securely stored, and outcome assessors will be blinded to the group assignments for certain evaluations.

This research aims to compare two surgical methods for upper eyelid surgery called blepharoplasty, which removes excess skin that can affect peripheral vision and appearance. The study uses a split-face design where one eyelid undergoes traditional surgery using a blade, cautery, and sutures, while the other eyelid is treated with Ziplyft, a clamp device that compresses the skin to prevent bleeding and uses tissue adhesive instead of sutures. The goal is to evaluate bruising, wound healing, surgery time, and satisfaction from both patients and surgeons. Participants will have one eyelid treated with standard blepharoplasty involving blade removal, blood vessel cautery, and suturing, and the other eyelid treated with Ziplyft which compresses skin to stop bleeding, allowing incision closure with tissue adhesive. Both sides will have equal amounts of skin removed. The surgeon will record the time taken for each procedure. Follow-up photos will be taken at 3, 7 days, and 1 month after surgery to assess bruising and incision healing. During the study, participants will be evaluated with independent professional review of post-operative photos to measure bruising and incision appearance. Both patient and surgeon surveys will capture satisfaction levels up to two months after surgery. The study tracks wound closure success and compares surgical case times. Follow-up visits and evaluations will ensure comprehensive monitoring of outcomes and participant experience.

Skull base tumor surgery is complex because many important nerves and blood vessels are nearby. Researchers are studying how diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and tractography, which map nerve fibers, can help predict the location of cranial nerves affected by these tumors. This imaging technique may assist surgeons in avoiding nerve damage during surgery. The study is interventional and evaluates the accuracy of DTI in locating cranial nerves before and after surgery. Participants with skull base tumors needing surgical removal undergo a preoperative cerebral MRI using a 3 tesla machine with a DTI sequence to track cranial nerve fibers. The expected nerve positions from imaging are compared to their actual positions found during surgery. The study focuses on patients requiring tumor removal and uses imaging to support surgical planning. During the study, patients receive a preoperative MRI within three months before surgery. Researchers then assess the correlation between the nerve positions predicted by imaging and those observed during the operation and again three months after surgery. They also monitor for any postoperative cranial nerve palsy at three months. This helps evaluate how well the imaging method predicts nerve location and potential nerve damage over time.

This research aims to compare how different laser wavelengths (808 nm, 980 nm, and 1064 nm) affect nerve healing in patients with Bell's palsy, a condition causing facial paralysis and movement problems. By studying these laser treatments, researchers hope to improve clinical care, rehabilitation methods, and quality of life for people with this nerve disorder. Participants are randomly assigned to one of four groups: a sham laser device group, a Low-Level Laser Therapy group, a gallium arsenide diode laser group, or a high-intensity laser treatment group. Each group receives 18 treatment sessions over six weeks, with three sessions each week. All participants also receive facial muscle massage and exercises to support nerve recovery. During the study, researchers will assess the facial nerve function using compound motor action potential tests at the start and after six weeks of treatment. Other assessments include facial disability scoring and monitoring of therapy sessions. The total study period includes the six-week treatment phase, with safety and progress tracked throughout.

Researchers are investigating the effect of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES) on improving facial symmetry in people who have central facial palsy caused by stroke. Central facial palsy is a common condition after stroke, affecting about 45% of patients, and can cause facial asymmetry, difficulty closing the mouth, problems with eating, bite marks on the cheek, social isolation, and lower quality of life. This trial aims to compare NMES combined with usual facial palsy training to usual training alone, as there is currently little scientific evidence on the effectiveness of these treatments. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. One group will receive NMES in addition to their usual care, which includes mimical exercises, facio-oral sensory input, and kinesio taping. The other group will receive the usual care without NMES. The study is designed as a randomized controlled trial with a pilot phase, and participants from the pilot will be included in the main trial. The treatments will be administered over a four-week period. During the study, participants will be assessed using tools such as My Facial Quantification (MyFacialQ) from enrollment to the end of treatment at four weeks. Additional measurements include the Iowa Oral Performance Instrument and Facial Clinimetric Evaluation, with follow-up lasting up to three months after the intervention. The trial will monitor facial symmetry improvements and functional outcomes related to facial palsy. The entire study period extends to December 2030, allowing for long-term observation and data collection.

Bell's palsy is a common facial nerve disorder causing weakness or paralysis on one side of the face. This research evaluates the effects of two treatments, Prednisolone and Cerebrolysin, to study how well Cerebrolysin helps nerve regeneration compared to corticosteroids. The trial is a randomized, double-blind study sponsored by October 6 University, focusing on adults aged 18 to 60 years with acute unilateral facial palsy of unknown cause. Participants will be assigned to one of three treatment groups: Prednisolone alone, Cerebrolysin alone, or a combination of both. Prednisolone is given as a 60 mg tablet once daily for 5 days followed by a tapering dose, while Cerebrolysin is administered intramuscularly at 10 mg daily for 3 weeks. The study monitors changes in facial nerve function over three weeks using standardized grading systems. During the study, participants will be assessed at baseline, after 1 week, and after 3 weeks using the House-Brackmann and Sunnybrook grading scales to measure facial nerve recovery. Researchers will track progress and safety throughout the trial period. Total participation time includes initial screening and treatment phases, with follow-up evaluations to measure treatment outcomes and monitor for any complications.

Researchers are evaluating the use of oral cortisone (prednisolone) treatment in children aged 1 to 17 years who have acute peripheral unilateral facial nerve palsy. This condition affects about 10 to 20 children per 100,000 annually in Sweden, with 20% experiencing lasting symptoms such as excessive tearing, drooling, and facial asymmetry. The study is a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled multicenter trial aimed at assessing whether prednisolone improves recovery compared to placebo over 12 months. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either prednisolone tablets dosed at 1 mg per kg of body weight daily for 10 days (up to a maximum of 50 mg per day) or placebo tablets that look identical. The treatment will start upon admission, and clinical data will be collected during follow-up visits. The primary outcome is full recovery of facial nerve function measured by the House-Brackmann scale at 12 months, with additional facial function and disability assessments also conducted. During the study, children will undergo clinical evaluations at regular intervals up to 12 months to monitor nerve recovery and facial function using several scales and questionnaires. Researchers will track adherence to treatment and monitor for any side effects or complications. The total participation time for each child will be approximately one year, allowing detailed observation of long-term outcomes and treatment effects.

Facial palsy affects between 15 and 40 people per 100,000 and can result from various causes including infections, tumors, trauma, or unknown reasons. The severity and recovery vary, and incomplete recovery impacts quality of life. Current treatments include surgery, physiotherapy, and botulinum toxin injections. This study aims to evaluate how patients with facial paralysis pay attention to faces with abnormal facial movements using eye-tracking technology compared to healthy volunteers. Participants will be recorded performing five facial movements, such as eyelid closure and smiling, using video sequences created with specialized software called Tobii Pro Lab®. The study includes two groups: patients with peripheral facial palsy regardless of severity or prior treatment and healthy volunteers without major facial sequelae. The goal is to quantitatively analyze and compare eye fixation patterns between these groups. During the study, researchers will measure variations in facial fixation and the presence of abnormal facial movements over 30 days. Participants will be asked to perform specific facial movements while being recorded, and their eye movements will be tracked and analyzed. The study involves no masking or randomization and includes adults aged 18 and older. The total duration includes monitoring the primary outcomes related to eye-tracking measurements within 30 days.

Researchers are evaluating the recovery process of muscle function in people with peripheral facial paralysis, including Bell's palsy and idiopathic facial paralysis. This controlled, single-blind clinical study compares kinesthetic treatment combined with selective muscle electrostimulation to kinesthetic treatment without electrostimulation. The study is conducted at the UNNE University Kinesiology Service from 2023 to 2025, aiming to promote early social reintegration for participants. Participants are divided into two groups: one receives standard facial muscle reeducation exercises in front of a mirror combined with selective muscle electrostimulation using exponential currents, and the other receives the same muscle reeducation without electrostimulation. The electrostimulation parameters are personalized through an "electroevaluation" to identify the optimal pulse width and intensity for visible, selective muscle contraction. Treatment involves daily sessions with guided facial gestures and muscle activation techniques. Participants undergo initial and final evaluations using the House Brackman and Sunnybrook scales, with assessments blinded to treatment. Researchers record facial movements via video and photographic documentation, as well as clinical monitoring sheets. Functional recovery is measured by muscle function, facial symmetry, and recovery time categorized by the number of treatment sessions. The study monitors participants over 24 months, with follow-up visits to assess progress and ensure safety throughout the treatment period.