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.