OBJECTIVE

To compare the effectiveness of physical rehabilitation (PR) and botulinum therapy in the treatment of facial nerve neuropathy (FNN) complications.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Sixty-eight patients with FNN of various etiologies, including 70 women and 6 men aged 38 [31; 46] years, were studied. Time to seek medical help was 717 [256; 1638] days. Diagnosis of the motor pattern included determining the strength of facial muscles, identifying complications — muscle hypertonicity and synkinesis, assessment with the House-Brackmann Grading System, the Facial Nerve Grading System 2.0 and the Sunnybrook facial grading system. All patients were prescribed a standard PR complex, additionally muscle relaxation was performed on both sides by injections of Incobotulinumtoxin A (BTA) — BTA group (n=34; 44.7%) or special PR techniques — physiotherapy group (n=42; 55.3%).

RESULTS

The both groups are comparable by age, sex, etiology and duration of treatment, however, patients in the BTA group have more severe stage of FNN (U=534.5; p=0.031). There is a limitation in the volume of active movements in patients with muscles hypertonicity of the affected side, which was associated with insufficient muscle strength. In the BTA group, the severity of complications (muscles hypertonicity and synkinesis) is decreased on the affected side, and in ¹/₄ of the cases it is accompanied by an increase of muscles strength. In the physiotherapy group, the decrease in the severity of complications is less significant, but is associated with an increase of muscles strength (χ²=45.505; p<0001).

CONCLUSIONS

PR and botulinum toxin therapy are effective methods of treating FNN complications. Special PR techniques for relaxing and stretching muscles are applicable for the prevention and treatment of mild disorders. Botulinum therapy allows achieving a significant stable clinical effect in the treatment of moderate and severe complications (muscle hypertonicity and synkinesis).