PURPOSE: to compare the efficacy of speech-language therapy and acupuncture associated with speech-language therapy in patients with Bell's peripheral facial paralysis. METHODS: we referred 15 patients for speech-language therapy, of whom eight were randomly selected for speech-language therapy associated with acupuncture, making up the trial group. Both groups underwent an assessment, followed by treatment sessions and soon afterwards they were reassessed by an external examiner. Data were analyzed by hypothesis testing with a significance level of 5%. RESULTS: the median number of sessions was 12.0 for the control group and 5.5 for the trial group (p = 0.007), and all members of the latter were discharged from therapy. From the ten variables related to mobility, four (40.0%) showed significant improvement in the control group and seven (70.0%) in the trial group. Regarding tone, from the eleven variables there was improvement in seven (63.6%) in the group submitted only to speech-language therapy and in eleven (100.0%) in the group undergoing speech-language therapy associated with acupuncture. As for the 15 investigated facial measurements, there was an improvement in both groups, which was most evident in the trial group. Only one variable (6.7%) showed significant value in relation to the difference between the two groups in the reassessment. On the other hand, the comparison between the assessment and reassessment showed a significant variables in seven (46.7%), and in five (33.3%) the improvement was more evident in the trial group. CONCLUSION: the association of speech-language therapy with acupuncture was more effective in Bell' peripheral facial paralysis treatment, in the sample.
Bell Palsy; Speech-Language Therapy; Myofunctional Therapy; Acupuncture
