NCT07436624

Kabat Rehabilitation Versus Kinesiology Taping in Bell's Palsy

Effects of Kabat Rehabilitation Versus Kinesiology Taping Combined With Conventional Therapy on Facial Asymmetry and Functional Disability in Patients With Unilateral Bell's Palsy: A Randomized Controlled Trial

• Status: Active Not Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 38 (estimated)
• Sponsor: University of Lahore · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 30 Years – 50 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

This randomized controlled trial aims to compare the effects of Kabat rehabilitation versus kinesiology taping, both combined with conventional therapy, on facial asymmetry and functional disability in patients with unilateral Bell's palsy. A total of 38 participants will be recruited from the University of Lahore Teaching Hospital. Participants will be randomly assigned into two groups using a lottery method. Outcomes will be assessed using the Sunnybrook Facial Grading System and the Facial Disability Index at baseline, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks.

Detailed description

This single-blinded randomized clinical trial will be conducted at the University of Lahore Teaching Hospital, Lahore. Participants aged 30-50 years diagnosed with unilateral Bell's palsy will be recruited using purposive sampling. After obtaining informed consent, 38 eligible participants will be randomly allocated into two parallel groups using the lottery method. Group A will receive conventional therapy (facial massage and electrical muscle stimulation) combined with Kabat rehabilitation using proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) techniques. Group B will receive conventional therapy combined with kinesiology taping applied according to a standardized protocol targeting affected facial muscles. Treatment will be administered for 8 weeks, 5 sessions per week, with each session lasting approximately 40 minutes. Assessments will be conducted at baseline, at 4 weeks, and at 8 weeks. Data will be analyzed using SPSS version 27.0.

Conditions

• Bell's Palsy
• Facial Paralysis

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	Conventional Facial Therapy	Conventional therapy will consist of facial massage and electrical muscle stimulation (EMS). Massage techniques will include light stroking, tapping, and kneading of affected facial muscles for approximately 5 minutes. Electrical muscle stimulation will be delivered using interrupted galvanic current with a pulse width of 150 μs, frequency of 1-10 Hz, and intensity of 2-5 mA for 15 minutes. Small surface electrodes will be placed on key facial muscles including frontalis, zygomaticus major, orbicularis oris, and mentalis. Total duration of conventional therapy will be approximately 20 minutes per session.
OTHER	Kabat Rehabilitation	Kabat rehabilitation will be administered using proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) techniques. Manual resistance will be applied to stimulate contraction of affected facial muscles through three fulcrum points (upper, intermediate, and lower). Each muscle group (frontalis, corrugator supercilii, orbicularis oculi, procerus, orbicularis oris, and mentalis) will perform 10 repetitions for 2 sets. The Kabat component will last approximately 20 minutes per session. Treatment will be provided 5 sessions per week for 8 weeks.

Timeline

• Start date: 2025-12-11
• Primary completion: 2026-03-13
• Completion: 2026-04-12
• First posted: 2026-02-27
• Last updated: 2026-02-27

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Pakistan