Effectiveness of Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation V/S Massage in Patients with Bell’s Palsy.

Abstract

Bell’s palsy has a set of treatment protocol including traditional techniques e.g. massage, MMT, PNF, etc. as well as advanced modalities such as electrical stimulation. As we know massage and PNF both are traditional therapeutic techniques to treat Bell’s palsy and used worldwide. The techniques are mainly focused on the qualitative recovery of the facial muscles as the primary recovery is achieved by electrical stimulation. Due to lack of time and resources the therapists tend to use only one of them. Thus this study will be done to find out which one of them is more effective and will ensure more qualitative recovery in minimum amount of time.Unilateral Bell’s palsy patients were taken and filtered according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. Total 30 patients were included and divided into 2 groups (Group A and Group B). Every patient was assessed according to Sunnybrook Facial Grading Scale and the readings were recorded. Treatment protocol for group A was PNF along-with stimulation and for group B massage along-with stimulation. After 2 weeks of standard treatment protocol again assessment was taken using Sunnybrook Facial Grading Scale and the readings were recorded. With the pre and post-treatment readings difference was calculated for both groups and statistical analysis was done.PNF is considered slightly significant as a result of comparing the readings of Sunnybrook Facial Grading System between both the groups immediately after the intervention.It can be concluded that the PNF is significantly effective than massage. But, massage also has remarkable recovery. Therefore it is advisable to use both of them for good recovery.