Effect of Neuromuscular Taping in Patients with Bell’s Palsy

Background: Bell’s palsy, a type of peripheral facial palsy affects the superior and inferior hemiface.It results from the dysfunction of the facial nerve (cranial nerve VII), which is responsible for the innervation of the mimetic muscles of the face.  Bell’s Palsy (BP) is the most common cause of facial nerve palsy accounting for 49-51% of all cases, with an estimated annual prevalence of 20-32.2 per 100,000 people. Its incidence is higher in the ages of 15-45 years and there is a recurrence rate of 8-12%. Neuromuscular Taping (NMT) is a technique of applying elastic adhesive tape to the skin without any tension over the target area which will create wrinkles in skin causing dilation effect on the underlying body tissue, thereby inducing pain relief, facilitation of lymphatic flow and increased vascularityand musculoskeletal systems by employing decompressive stimulation.

Purpose: To determine the effectiveness of Neuromuscular Taping on Facial Disability in Patients with Bell’s Palsy.

Methods: Patients of Bell’s palsy will be recruited based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Using sequentially numbered, opaque, sealed envelopes, the participants will be randomly allocated into two groups. After obtaining the informed consent from each participant, treatment will be given. Experimental group (EG) will receive treatment with neuromuscular taping and conventional exercises, and control group (CG) will receive sham neuromuscular taping and conventional exercises for consecutive 6 days for one week. Outcome measures, such as House- Brackmann grade, Facial clinimetric scale and Facial index scale will be used.

Results: The obtained data will be analysed using appropriate statistical test based on the normality of the obtained data.