PHYSIOTHERAPEUTIC INTERVENTION IN THE TREATMENT OF PERIPHERAL FACIAL PARALYSIS: A NARRATIVE REVIEW

Abstract

This article aimed to identify the main physiotherapeutic interventions for the rehabilitation of peripheral facial paralysis, considering their efficacy and prognostic factors. It is a narrative review conducted according to PRISMA guidelines, involving searches in the PubMed, PEDro, BVS, and SciELO databases between August and September 2026. Intervention studies and clinical trials published in English and Portuguese over the last five years were included. Of the 158 studies identified, 14 comprised the final sample. The interventions analyzed were mirror therapy, Kabat neuromuscular re-education, electrical stimulation, neural mobilization, laser acupuncture, and conventional facial exercises. The results indicated that Kabat therapy, mirror therapy, neural mobilization, and structured facial stretching were associated with improvements in facial symmetry and function, whereas electrical stimulation alone showed limited effect. Benefits were also observed during the subacute and chronic phases. The study concludes that standardized, individualized assessment using scales such as House-Brackmann and Sunnybrook guides the choice of interventions, and that a combination of specific techniques fosters recovery.