physioscience 2025; 21(S 03): S44
DOI: 10.1055/s-0045-1812458
Abstracts
Poster/Posters

EMG-Triggered Functional Electrical Stimulation for Central Facial Palsy Following Stroke: A Case Report

Autoren

  • F Johannes

    1   School of Health Professions, Bern University of Applied Sciences, Bern, Switzerland

  • A M Pekacka-Egli

    2   Department for Neurorehabilitation, Zurich Rehabilitation Center Lengg, Zurich, Switzerland
    3   Department of Communicative Participation and Speech and Language Therapy, FHNW University of Applied Sciences and Arts, Muttenz, Switzerland

  • S Köhler

    4   Department for Neurorehabilitation, Zurich Rehabilitation Center Lengg, Zurich, Switzerland

  • A Disko

    5   Department for Neurorehabilitation, Zurich Rehabilitation Center Lengg, Zurich, Switzerland

  • J von Meyenburg

    4   Department for Neurorehabilitation, Zurich Rehabilitation Center Lengg, Zurich, Switzerland

  • R Frohofer

    6   Physiotherapie Ergotherapie, Universitätsspital Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland

  • B Bujan

    5   Department for Neurorehabilitation, Zurich Rehabilitation Center Lengg, Zurich, Switzerland
Weitere Informationen
Auch verfügbar auf
 
 

Background Central facial palsy (CFP) is a common condition following stroke, typically affecting the lower face and causing symptoms such as drooling, dysarthria, and facial asymmetry. Despite available rehabilitation methods, the evidence supporting their effectiveness is limited. Electromyography (EMG)-triggered Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) has shown promise in neurorehabilitation for motor impairments, but its application to CFP remains unclear.

Methods This case report explores the use of EMG-triggered FES in a 77-year-old patient with CFP following a severe ischemic stroke of the middle cerebral artery (MCA). Therapy, focused on stimulating the orbicularis oris muscle to address persistent drooling and improve facial symmetry, was alongside usual care. The stimulation duration was 5–15 min, frequency 35 Hz, and pulse duration 300 µs, applied 5 times a week. Stimulation duration was adjusted based on the patient’s progress.

Results The patient underwent 16 sessions of EMG-triggered FES over four weeks. Post-therapy reassessment with the Sunnybrook Facial Grading System (SFGS) showed an improvement in facial motor function, with the score increasing from 58/100 to 78/100. Reassessment of the Facial Disability Index (FDI) revealed significant improvement in physical function (55 to 85 points), though the social function score slightly decreased (76 to 64 points). Improvements in dysarthria and the complete resolution of drooling were reflected in the physical function domain of the FDI and the Allensbach Dysarthria Severity Scale.

Conclusions The results highlight that EMG-triggered FES was well tolerated and effectively supported therapy, contributing to the resolution of drooling, improved facial symmetry, and enhanced speech function. Future research should focus on randomized controlled trials to confirm its effectiveness and determine optimal therapy parameters.


Publikationsverlauf

Artikel online veröffentlicht:
23. Oktober 2025

© 2025. Thieme. All rights reserved.

Georg Thieme Verlag KG
Oswald-Hesse-Straße 50, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany