MIME THERAPY IMPACT ON PATIENTS WITH BELL'S PALSY : A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW AND META-ANALYSIS

Mohamed, Islam Hussein; Mohamed Elfakharany, Mahmoud Samir; Elrewainy, Rasha Mohammed

doi:10.21608/ijtau.2025.372135.1008

MIME THERAPY IMPACT ON PATIENTS WITH BELL'S PALSY : A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW AND META-ANALYSIS

Document Type : Systematic Review

Authors

¹ Physical therapy for neurology and neurosurgery , Faculty of physical therapy , Cairo university , Giza , Egypt

² Physical therapy for pediatric and pediatric surgery , Faculty of physical therapy , Cairo university , Giza , Egypt

10.21608/ijtau.2025.372135.1008

Abstract

Background:

Bell’s Palsy is a common cause of facial nerve paralysis, often leading to impaired facial symmetry, motor dysfunction, and psychosocial distress. Mime Therapy is a specialized physiotherapeutic approach aimed at restoring facial function. This systematic review aims to evaluate the effectiveness of Mime Therapy in improving clinical and functional outcomes in Bell’s Palsy patients.

Methods:

This review adhered to the PRISMA 2020 guidelines and was registered on PROSPERO. A comprehensive search of five databases (PubMed, Cochrane Library, PEDro, Scopus, and Web of Science) conducted up to March 2025. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving adult Bell’s Palsy patients receiving Mime Therapy were included. Outcomes assessed included facial motor function, facial symmetry, synkinesis, and quality of life. Methodological quality was evaluated using the PEDro scale, and meta-analyses were conducted where appropriate.

Results:

Ten RCTs met the inclusion criteria, with nine included in the meta-analysis. Strong evidence (Level 1a) supported the effectiveness of Mime Therapy in improving Resting Symmetry (RS), Facial Disability Index (FDI) Physical and Social Function, and overall Sunnybrook Facial Grading System (SFGS) Composite scores. Moderate evidence (Level 1b) was found for improvements in voluntary movement, synkinesis, and House-Brackmann scores. Meta-analyses showed statistically significant improvements in SFGS voluntary movement (SMD = 0.57; 95% CI: 0.16 to 0.98; p = 0.006) and trends favoring Mime Therapy in other domains.

Conclusion:

Mime Therapy is an effective, non-invasive intervention for improving facial motor outcomes in patients with Bell’s Palsy. Its inclusion in clinical rehabilitation protocols is supported by strong evidence, although future high-quality.

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