Influence of Mirror Therapy (Specular Face Software) on Electromyographic Behavior of the Facial Muscles for Facial Palsy

• Main Authors: Alfonso Gil-Martínez, Sergio Lerma-Lara, Alfredo Hernando-Jorge, Ana Campos-Vegas, Audrey Aceval, Rafael Pagés-Scasso, Francisco Morán-Burgos, Hector Beltran-Alacreu
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2021-07-01
• Series: Brain Sciences
• Subjects: biofeedback; facial paralysis; mirror therapy; software; electromyography; motor control
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3425/11/7/930

<i>Introduction:</i> Facial paralysis (FP) is a neuromuscular disorder caused by facial nerve injury. There are two main types of FP (which can be either primary or secondary): central and peripheral; <i>Procedure of cases:</i> This case series presents five patients with facial paralysis with different etiologies. In all cases, we assessed the facial disability index and a clinical test registering the electromyographic activity, with and without biofeedback generated by Specular Face, a new software program; <i>Discussion:</i> After performing the appropriate tests, we checked the patients’ ability to change certain expressions when the Specular Face program was added. We can confirm that the mirror visual feedback therapy changes the behavior of synkinesis and the muscle function in these patients; <i>Conclusion:</i> The use of mirror therapy using a computerized treatment system of facial images yields promising results in modulating the muscle activity of patients with FP.