Positive effects of mime therapy on sequelae of facial paralysis: Stiffness, lip mobility, and social and physical aspects of facial disability

Objective: Evaluation of the effect of mime therapy, a novel therapy combining mime and physiotherapy, for patients with longstanding (at least 9 months) sequelae of unilateral peripheral facial paralysis. Study Design: Randomized clinical trial, with the treatment group receiving mime therapy and the control group forming a waiting list. Setting: Physiotherapy outpatient department of two university medical centers. Patients: There were 50 patients, 21 men and 29 women, with sequelae of facial paralysis and a mean House-Brackmann score of Grade IV. Intervention: Mime therapy, including automassage, relaxation exercises. inhibition of synkinesis, coordination exercises, and emotional expression exercises. Main Outcome Measures: Stiffness of the face, lip mobility (both lip and pout length) and the physical and social index of the Facial Disability Index. Results: Stiffness, lip mobility, and both aspects of the Facial Disability Index improved substantially because of mime therapy. Conclusions: On the basis of present evidence, mime therapy is a good treatment choice for patients with sequelae of facial paralysis.