A Randomized Control Trial to Review the Effectiveness of Combination Therapy versus Steroids Alone, for the Treatment of Bells Palsy

Objective: To compare the effectiveness of combined programme including steroids, electrical stimulation with facial exercises as compared to steroids alone for treatment of Bells Palsy. Study Design: Randomized Control trial study.Place and Duration: At Holy Family Hospital Rawalpindi and in Private setting at Islamabad from August 2012 to August 2013. Materials and Methods: A total of 113 male and female patients having been diagnosed with Bell’s palsy were randomly assigned to two groups. The experimental group received a combined steroids, electrical stimulation and facial exercise programme. The control group was given steroids alone. House–Brackmann facial nerve grading system was used to assess the recovery in patients. Results: Bell’s palsy was graded according to House–Brackmann facial nerve grading system. Mean values for grades of experimental group were 2.95 (before treatment) and 0.98( after treatment) showing a significant improvement in condition after receiving treatment (p=.000 for all). These findings were statistically supported by applying paired t-test which showed significant improvement regarding House–Brackmann facial grading and other symptoms of facial palsy (p 0.05 for all). Conclusion: The signs and symptoms improved in both groups. However, steroids, electrical stimulation with exercise has shown to be more effective in improving the outcome measure. This study supported the effectiveness of combined approach in the treatment of Bell’s palsy.