TO COMPARE THE EFFICACY OF KABAT REHABILITATION AND PROPRIOCEPTIVE NEUROMUSCULAR FACILITATION TECHNIQUE ON BELLS PALSY: A COMPARATIVE STUDY

Introduction: Bells palsyis the most common acute mono-neuropathy, or disorder affecting a single nerve, and is the most common diagnosis associated with facial nerve weakness/paralysis. Bells palsy is an acute-onset peripheral facial neuropathyand is the most common cause of lower motor neuron facial palsy. It affects male and females equally, and has a slightly higher incidence in mid and later life, but certainly occurs across all age ranges. The incidence of Bells palsy reaches a maximum between the ages 15 - 45 years, the disease is significantly less common below the age of 15 years and above the age of 60 Aims: To determine the efficacy of Kabat rehabilitation and proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation technique on bells palsy. Methods And Materials: This experimental study was conducted at Garg Hospital, Hansi, five times a week for four weeks. The participants were divided in the study in three groups A, B& C having 20 participants each.Pre training assessments were taken using SBFGS(Sunnybrook facial grading system, HBGS(House-Brackmann grading system)and FDI(Facial disability index). Participants of Group A received Kabat rehabilitation and Group B received PNF exercises program and Group C received conventional treatment. Post training assessments were done using SBFGS, HBGS and FDI.The data analysis was carried out using SPSS version 18. Mean was compared with respect to Paired t-test (for three groups) and F-test (for pre and post compare each group). All statistical tests were seen at three-tailed levels of significance (p<0.001) and (p<0.005) Results: The mean ±S.D. according to SBFGS (Sunnybrook facial grading system) pre-test reading was 59.20±5.16 for Group A, 62.35±3.78 for Group B and 61.95±4.01 for Group C. The post-test reading was 88.35±3.87 for Group A and 71.05±5.92 for Group B, and 67.65±4.28 for Group C. The mean ±S.D. according to HBGS (House-Brackmann grading system) pre-test reading was 3.80±0.69 for group A and 3.45±0.60 for Group B, and 3.40±0.503 for Group C. The post-test reading was 1.55±0.51 for Group A and 2.40±0.75 for Group B, and 2.65±0.58 for Group C. The mean ±S.D. of FDI (Facial disability index) pre-test reading was 2.55±0.51 for Group A and 2.70±0.47 for Group B, and 2.65±0.48 for Group C. The post-test reading was 4.45±0.51 for Group A and 3.65±0.58 for Group B, and 3.40±0.68 for Group C. There was also significant improvement in Group A with Kabat Rehabilitation program as compared to Group B & C. Conclusion: This study concludes that exercise program with Kabat rehabilitation technique showed better results in improving voluntary movements and synkinesis in people with Bells palsy in comparison of Group B with PNF (Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation) and Group C with conventional treatment.Measurements taken using tools like Sunnybrook facial grading system, House-Brackmann grading system, and Facial disability index indicated positive advancements in Bells Palsy patients in Group A than Group B and C.These results imply that Kabat rehabilitation presented a promising treatment approach for Bells palsy than Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation andconventional treatment.