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NCT Number: NCT07436624

Kabat Rehabilitation Versus Kinesiology Taping in Bell's Palsy

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.

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Key information

Conditions

Bell's Palsy Bell Palsy Cranial Nerve Diseases DNA Virus Infections Facial Asymmetry Facial Nerve Diseases Facial Paralysis Herpesviridae Infections Infections Mouth Diseases Nervous System Diseases Neurologic Manifestations Paralysis Pathological Conditions, Anatomical Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Signs and Symptoms Stomatognathic Diseases Virus Diseases

Age range

30 year–50 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

University of Lahore Teaching Hospital

Lahore, Punjab Province, Pakistan

About this study

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.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

Age between 30-50 years Both genders Unilateral Bell's palsy House-Brackmann grade greater than 3 Sufficient physical and mental ability to follow instructions

Exclusion criteria

Facial skin lesions or contraindications for procedures Cranial or facial trauma within past 3 months Prior episodes of facial paralysis Craniofacial deformities or degenerative diseases Head and neck malignancy Active infection History of upper motor neuron lesion

Treatment and study plan

Conventional Facial Therapy

Other

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 names: Electrical Muscle Stimulation, Facial Massage

Kabat Rehabilitation

Other

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.

Other names: Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF)

Primary outcomes

  1. Facial Asymmetry (Sunnybrook Facial Grading System)

    Time frame: Baseline, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks

    Scores range from 0 to 100, where higher scores indicate better facial symmetry.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Functional Disability (Facial Disability Index - FDI)

    Time frame: Baseline, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks

    Assesses physical and social well-being related to facial function. Higher scores indicate better function.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Lahore

Other

Registry information

Official study title

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

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2026
First posted
Feb 27, 2026
Registry last updated
Feb 27, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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