Exteroceptive Stimulation for Facial Palsy After Stroke

Summary

Stroke is a leading cause of long-term disability worldwide and frequently results in central facial palsy, which manifests as facial asymmetry, impaired muscle control, and reduced functional ability. These impairments can affect speech, emotional expression, and overall quality of life. Conventional physiotherapy is commonly used to manage post-stroke facial palsy; however, the additional benefit of sensory-based rehabilitation approaches remains insufficiently explored, particularly in clinical settings with limited resources.

This study was conducted to evaluate whether the addition of exteroceptive stimulation to conventional physiotherapy leads to greater improvement in facial symmetry and functional outcomes compared to conventional physiotherapy alone. Exteroceptive stimulation aims to enhance sensory input and facilitate neuromuscular activation, potentially improving motor recovery in affected facial muscles.

In this double-blind randomized controlled trial, a total of 36 participants diagnosed with post-stroke facial palsy were recruited and randomly allocated into two groups. The experimental group received exteroceptive stimulation in addition to conventional physiotherapy, while the control group received conventional physiotherapy alone. Both interventions were administered over a period of four weeks.

Outcome measures were assessed at baseline and at the end of the intervention period. The primary outcome was lip angle deviation, used as an indicator of facial symmetry. Secondary outcomes included facial function and disability assessed using standardized tools such as the Facial Disability Index and the Synkinesis Assessment Questionnaire.

The findings of this study aim to provide evidence on the effectiveness of integrating sensory-based techniques into routine rehabilitation programs for post-stroke facial palsy. The results may support the development of more comprehensive and effective rehabilitation strategies to improve patient outcomes.

Conditions

• Stroke
• Facial Palsy

Interventions

OTHER

Exteroceptive Stimulation

Exteroceptive stimulation was applied to the affected side of the face using structured sensory techniques, including light touch, stroking, tapping, and graded pressure over the perioral, cheek, and nasolabial regions. The intervention was delivered by a trained physiotherapist in a standardized sequence to enhance sensory input and facilitate neuromuscular activation. Each session lasted approximately 30-40 minutes and was administered 5 days per week for 4 weeks in a clinical setting. This intervention was provided in combination with conventional physiotherapy.

OTHER

Conventional Physiotherapy

Conventional physiotherapy included a structured facial rehabilitation program comprising facial muscle exercises, facilitation techniques, and functional retraining to improve symmetry and coordination. Sessions were delivered by a qualified physiotherapist, lasting approximately 30-40 minutes, 5 days per week for 4 weeks. This intervention was provided alone in the control group and in combination with exteroceptive stimulation in the experimental group.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Faisalabad

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Dr Muhammad Ateeb, PhD Public Health · Research Associate, The University of Faisalabad, Faisalabad 38000, Pakistan

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

DOUBLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

40 Years

Max Age

55 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2025-08-01

Primary Completion

2025-12-24

Completion

2025-12-24

Countries

• Pakistan