Comparative Effect of Kinesio Taping and Neurofacilitation Therapies in Bell’s Palsy Rehabilitation: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Bell’s palsy is an acute peripheral facial paralysis that significantly affects facial symmetry, functional ability, and quality of life, where non-pharmacological rehabilitation plays a key role in recovery. This randomized controlled trial aimed to compare the effectiveness of kinesio taping with neurofacilitation therapies (proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation and mime therapy) in improving facial function and reducing synkinesis. Thirty patients with Bell’s palsy were randomly allocated into two groups (n = 15 each). Group A received kinesio taping with conventional facial exercises, while Group B received neurofacilitation therapies for 6 weeks. Outcome measures included the Sunnybrook Facial Grading System (SFGS), Synkinesis Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ), and Facial Disability Index (FDI). Both groups demonstrated improvement following intervention. Group A showed statistically significant improvement in all outcome measures (p < 0.001), whereas Group B showed significant improvement in SFGS, SAQ, and FDI-SF scores (p < 0.001), while improvement in FDI-PF was not statistically significant (p = 0.297). Between-group comparison revealed significantly greater improvement in Group A in SFGS, SAQ, and FDI-PF scores (p ≤ 0.001). These findings indicate that kinesio taping combined with facial exercises is more effective than neurofacilitation therapies in improving facial function and reducing synkinesis, supporting its role as a safe and effective non-pharmacological rehabilitation strategy.