Effect of Short Term Use of Repetitive Transcranial Stimulation as an Adjuvant Therapy for Bell's Palsy

Abstract

Background: There is limited therapy for management of Bell' palsy. However, none of the treatment modalities are effective, thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of repetitive transcranial stimulation (rTMS), as an adjuvant therapy, for management of Bell's palsy. Methods: In this randomized controlled trial, 46 patients with unilateral Bell's palsy were enrolled and were divided to two parallel groups an intervention and control groups. The intervention group was under treatment with oral prednisolone 1 mg/kg/day for two weeks and, continued with physical therapy/daily and rTMS/five sessions a week (1000 stimuli, 120 motor threshold) for two weeks and the control group was under treatment with oral prednisolone 1 mg/kg/day for two weeks and continued with physical therapy/daily for two weeks. The outcome was measured with the facial disability index (FDI), House-Brackmann (H-B) scale and World Health Organization quality of life (WHOQOL)-BREF questionnaire at baseline, and two and four weeks after therapy. Results: The physical and social functions of FDI and WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire in the intervention group were significantly higher than the control group after four weeks. Also, H-B grading in the intervention group was better than the control group after four weeks. Conclusions: The rTMS as adjuvant therapy may be an active, non-invasive, and safe method for management of Bell's palsy.