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A Comparative Study on the Efficacy of Low-Level Laser Therapy Versus Electrical Stimulation Along with Mime Therapy in the Rehabilitation of Acute Bell’s Palsy

K. Saraswathi, S. Ramachandran, Selvaraj Sudhakar, Koushik Kumar Nandhagopal

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Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy Journal 19(3):p 185-190, July - Sep 2026. | DOI: https://doi.org/10.21088/potj.0974.5777.19326.3

How Cite This Article:

K. Saraswathi, S. Ramachandran, Selvaraj Sudhakar, et al. A Comparative Study on the Efficacy of Low-Level Laser Therapy Versus Electrical Stimulation Along with Mime Therapy in the Rehabilitation of Acute Bell’s Palsy. Therapy Jr. 2026; 19(3): 185-190.

Timeline

Received : May 09, 2026         Accepted : June 12, 2026          Published : September 30, 2026

Abstract

Background: Palsy of the peripheral facial nerve, unilateral, acute, idiopathic, and peripheral, is the case with Bell lectures leads to facial asymmetry and weakness. Even though a significant percentage of patients will recover on their own,partial recovery is still very frequent, especially in the more extreme cases. Low-level laser physiotherapy rehabilitation can be done using therapy (LLLT) and electrical stimulation (ES), although.comparative evidence on their effectiveness in combination with mime therapy, remains limited.1-3 Purpose: To compare the therapeutic benefit of LLLT and mime therapy and ES and mime. patients with acute Bell’s palsy therapy with the Facial Disability Index (FDI) was used to measure the situation before and after the therapy as primary outcome measure. Methods: This was a prospective, randomized, comparative study involving 30 participants who were aged 18-40 years with acute unilateral Bell’s palsy. The random sequence was produced with the help of a computer-based random number method, using an independent researcher, and was allocated.hided in sequentially numbered, opaque, sealed envelopes that were opened after baseline assessment. A blinded assessor performed the outcome assessment. Participants were randomly allotted to two equal groups (n = 15 each). LLLT was administered to Group A (795 nm, 4)J/cm2 of eight points of the facial nerve (plus mime therapy) and Group B galvanic ES (3 30 ms pulse duration at 11 motor points) and mime therapy. Both groups received three times weekly during 6 weeks and a total of 18 sessions. FDI scores were captured at the baseline and upon the intervention being completed. Result: Findings revealed a significant increase in the FDI scores of both groups following treatment (p ≤<|human|>Results: The results showed that both groups experienced significant improvement in FDI scores following treatment (p ≤ 0.001). The mean score of post intervention FDI in Group A (45.60 ± 5.60) is higher than that of Group B (37.40 ± 5.38) and the difference between groups was significant (t =4.08, df = 28, p ≤ 0.001). Conclusion: In this sample, LLLT, in combination with mime therapy was linked to increased temporary enhancement of facial functioning as compared to ES with mime therapy. These results indicate that LLLT can be an effective complement in physiotherapy rehabilitation in patients with acute Bell’s palsy, but larger studies with more years of follow-up are required to establish the result.


References

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Data Sharing Statement

There are no additional data available. All raw data and code are available upon request.

Funding

This research received no funding.

Author Contributions

All authors contributed significantly to the work and approve its publication.

Ethics Declaration

Ethical approval was obtained from the Institutional Ethical Committee of Dr. M.G.R. Educational and Research Institute, Chennai. Ref No. A-89 /PHYSIO/IRB/2023-2024

Acknowledgements

We would like to express our gratitude to the patients, their families, and all those who have contributed to this study.


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K. Saraswathi, S. Ramachandran, Selvaraj Sudhakar, et al. A Comparative Study on the Efficacy of Low-Level Laser Therapy Versus Electrical Stimulation Along with Mime Therapy in the Rehabilitation of Acute Bell’s Palsy. Therapy Jr. 2026; 19(3): 185-190.


Licence:

Attribution-Non-commercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0)

This license enables reusers to distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the material in any medium or format for noncommercial purposes only, and only so long as attribution is given to the creator.


Received Accepted Published
May 09, 2026 June 12, 2026 September 30, 2026

DOI: https://doi.org/10.21088/potj.0974.5777.19326.3

Keywords

Bell’s palsyLow-level laser therapyElectrical stimulationMime therapyFacial Disability IndexFacial nerve palsyPhysiotherapy

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Received May 09, 2026
Accepted June 12, 2026
Published September 30, 2026

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Attribution-Non-commercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0)

This license enables reusers to distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the material in any medium or format for noncommercial purposes only, and only so long as attribution is given to the creator.


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