Low level light therapy and peripheral facial paralysis: integrating literature review. Laser therapy and Bell palsy

Abstract

Introduction: Peripheral facial palsy is an orofacial motor disorder that is responsible for bringing negative impacts in different settings in the life of individuals. Among the professionals involved in the treatment, the speech therapist is responsible for the important role of promoting the rehabilitation of the orofacial functions of the individual. Among the several resources that it can use, is the low intensity laser, still little investigated in the scientific literature. Objective: review the use and efficacy of low intensity laser as a therapeutic method for peripheral facial paralysis. Methods: (1) formulation of the guiding question of the study “What is the scientific evidence of efficacy of the use of low frequency laser in the treatment of peripheral facial paralysis? “; (2) Definition of descriptors, by DeCS and MeSH, combined through the Boolean operator AND: Low intensity light therapy; Laser therapy; Facial Paralysis and Bell’s Palsy; (3) PubMed and BIREME databases; (4) Delimitation of eligibility criteria and (5) collection and sorting of articles. Selection criteria: Using laser as a therapeutic resource and patients with facial paralysis in their methodology. Results: Ten studies enrolled in this revision found positive effects of laser therapy using laser dosages between 4 and 105 J/cm2 and wavelengths between 670 and 1064 nm in a period between 4 and 20 sessions. Conclusion: the effects of low power laser are benefic in patients with peripheral facial paralysis and potentialized when associated with other therapeutic resources of speech therapy.