SynthesisClinical rehabilitation2022
Physical therapy for facial nerve paralysis (Bell's palsy): An updated and extended systematic review of the evidence for facial exercise therapy.
Synthesis in Clinical rehabilitation, 2022. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. It is linked to 2 registered trials, which are not on this map. Cited by 38 papers, 2 of them syntheses that pooled it.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Comparison of PNF and Soft Tissue Mobilization Techniques Along With Exercise for the Treatment of Bell's Palsy
Electroacupuncture With Different Pulse Patterns for the Post-acute Phase of Bell's Palsy: a Study Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial With Surface Electromyography Evaluation
Who cites it
38 citing papers in PubMed, 2 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 73 citations in OpenAlex.
- Efficacy of photobiomodulation therapy on Bell's palsy symptoms: a systematic review.Lasers in medical science · 2024Pooled it
- Laser therapy for Bell's palsy: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials.Lasers in medical science · 2024Pooled it
- Evaluation of the Efficacy of the Combined Therapy of Botulinum Toxin and Hyaluronic Acid Compared to Conservative Intervention in the Treatment of Chronic Peripheral Facial Paralysis of Oncologic Etiology.Aesthetic plastic surgery · 2025Trial
- Effectiveness of novel facial stretching with structured exercise versus conventional exercise for Bell's palsy: a single-blinded randomized clinical trial.Scientific reports · 2024Trial
- Manual Lymph Drainage Vodder (MLDV) Increases Facial Function in Bell's Palsy Patients.International journal of therapeutic massage & bodywork · 2026Article
- Response to letter to the editor re: "Predicting recovery in Bell's palsy: the impact of early rehabilitation and prognostic indicators".European archives of oto-rhino-laryngology : official journal of the European Federation of Oto-Rhino-Laryngological Societies (EUFOS) : affiliated with the German Society for Oto-Rhino-Laryngology - Head and Neck Surgery · 2026Article
- Response to comment on: "Predicting recovery in Bell's palsy: the impact of early rehabilitation and prognostic indicators".European archives of oto-rhino-laryngology : official journal of the European Federation of Oto-Rhino-Laryngological Societies (EUFOS) : affiliated with the German Society for Oto-Rhino-Laryngology - Head and Neck Surgery · 2026Article
- Acoustic Radiation Force Impulse (ARFI) Elastography as a diagnostic and monitoring tool for Bell's palsy: A Prospective Study.Journal of musculoskeletal & neuronal interactions · 2026Article
- Smartphone-Based Grading and Rehabilitation in Patients With Facial Palsy Using Computer Vision: Prospective Validation Study.JMIR rehabilitation and assistive technologies · 2026Article
- Telerehabilitation for peripheral facial palsy: A scoping review.Journal of telemedicine and telecare · 2026Article
- Emotional Training via Telerehabilitation After Surgical Treatment for Facial Palsy: Prospective, Assessor-Blinded, 2-Arm Pilot Cohort Study.JMIR rehabilitation and assistive technologies · 2026Article
- Predicting recovery in Bell's palsy: the impact of early rehabilitation and prognostic indicators.European archives of oto-rhino-laryngology : official journal of the European Federation of Oto-Rhino-Laryngological Societies (EUFOS) : affiliated with the German Society for Oto-Rhino-Laryngology - Head and Neck Surgery · 2026Article
- A Rare Case of Bee Sting-Induced Facial Palsy: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Recovery.Rwanda journal of medicine and health sciences · 2026Article
- Facial Nerve Palsy in Malignant Otitis Externa Hospitalizations: Outcomes and Risk Factors.Otolaryngology--head and neck surgery : official journal of American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery · 2026Article
- Evidence summary: facial nerve rehabilitationtraining management for patients with peripheral facial paralysis.Neurological sciences : official journal of the Italian Neurological Society and of the Italian Society of Clinical Neurophysiology · 2026Review
- Beyond motor recovery: emerging perspectives in the management of peripheral facial palsy-a narrative review.Frontiers in neurology · 2026Review
- Short-term clinical outcomes associated with a standardized multicomponent facial rehabilitation program in acute or early-subacute peripheral facial nerve palsy: a prospective controlled cohort study.Frontiers in neurology · 2026Article
- Immediate Facial Reanimation After Radical Parotidectomy for Malignancy: Oncologic Principles and Reconstructive Strategy.Clinical, cosmetic and investigational dermatology · 2026Review
- A Call for Rigorous Clinical Trial: Effect of Intratympanic Dexamethasone on Bell's Palsy.Iranian journal of otorhinolaryngology · 2026Article
- Contemporary pharmacological strategies for acute peripheral facial palsy: a narrative review with clinical decision considerations.Frontiers in neuroscience · 2026Review
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
8 authors at 5 institutions in 2 countries.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
objectiveTo conduct a systematic review of the effectiveness of facial exercise therapy for facial palsy patients, updating an earlier broader Cochrane review; and to provide evidence to inform the development of telerehabilitation for these patients. DATA SOURCES: MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, PEDro and AMED for relevant studies published between 01 January 2011 and 30 September 2020.
methodsPredetermined inclusion/exclusion criteria were utilised to shortlist abstracts. Two reviewers independently appraised articles, systematically extracted data and assessed the quality of individual studies and reviews (using GRADE and AMSTAR-2, respectively). Thematic analysis used for evidence synthesis; no quantitative meta-analysis conducted. The review was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42017073067).
resultsSeven new randomised controlled trials, nine observational studies, and three quasi-experimental or pilot studies were identified (
conclusionThe findings of this targeted review reinforce those of the earlier more general Cochrane review. New research studies strengthen previous conclusions about the benefits of facial exercise therapy early in recovery and add to evidence of the value in chronic cases. Further standardisation of study design/outcome measures and evaluation of cost-effectiveness are recommended.
Indexed as
Identifiers
What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.