Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42405307›Full record

ReviewJPRAS open2026

The efficacy of botulinum toxin treatment in facial palsy: A systematic review.

Reina Ibrahim, Odette El Ghawi, Karima Boughambouz, Nancy Emmanuel, Gregory Nicolas, Juan Pablo Menendez

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in JPRAS open, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from 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.

2 · The registry

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.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Reina IbrahimFaculty of Medicine, University of Balamand, Al-Koura, North Governate, Lebanon.
Odette El GhawiFaculty of Medicine, University of Balamand, Al-Koura, North Governate, Lebanon.
Karima BoughambouzFaculty of Medicine, University of Algiers I, 02 Rue Didouche Mourad, Algiers, Algeria.
Nancy EmmanuelDepartment of Dermatology, Hospital das Clínicas of the Faculty of Medicine of the University of São Paulo, R. Capote Valente, 500, Jardim America, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
Gregory NicolasDepartment of Plastic Surgery, Hospital das Clínicas of the Faculty of Medicine of the University of São Paulo, R. Capote Valente, 500, Jardim America, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
Juan Pablo MenendezDepartment of Plastic Surgery, Hospital das Clínicas of the Faculty of Medicine of the University of São Paulo, R. Capote Valente, 500, Jardim America, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Background: Facial palsy, characterized by the partial or complete paralysis of facial muscles, poses significant challenges to individuals' quality of life due to its functional and psychological impacts. Botulinum toxin (botulinum toxin) injections have emerged as a promising therapeutic option for managing facial palsy, but the extent of their efficacy across various etiologies and the duration of treatment effects warrant further investigation. Objective: This study aims to systematically assess the efficacy of botulinum toxin injections in treating facial palsy, including subjective assessments, long-term follow-up, and evaluation of adverse effects. Methods: A systematic review following the PRISMA Guidelines was conducted by searching four major databases: PubMed, Cochrane, Scopus, and Embase. A total of 394 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published between 2013 and 2024 were initially identified for screening. After applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 20 studies were selected for detailed analysis in this review. Results: The analysis revealed a significant improvement in facial symmetry, reduction in spasticity, and enhancement of functional outcomes following botulinum toxin injections for facial palsy. Subjective assessments indicated patient satisfaction, with sustained treatment effects observed during long-term follow-up. Adverse effects were generally mild and transient. Conclusion: Botulinum toxin injections demonstrate promising efficacy in treating facial palsy, offering improvements in facial symmetry and functional outcomes. Long-term follow-up confirms sustained treatment effects, while adverse effects remain manageable. This study underscores the potential of botulinum toxin therapy as a valuable intervention for individuals with facial palsy.

Indexed as

Botulinum toxinFacial palsyFacial paralysisFacial symmetryFacial synkinesisMuscle improvementTherapeutic efficacy

Identifiers

PMID42405307
PMCPMC13330618

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

None linked

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.