NCT07568769Completed
Exteroceptive Stimulation for Facial Palsy After Stroke
Effect of Exteroceptive Stimulation Combined With Conventional Physiotherapy on Lip Angle Deviation and Facial Function in Patients With Post-Stroke Facial Palsy: A Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial
Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Last updated 3 Jun 2026
Brief summary (registry, in English)
Stroke is a leading cause of long-term disability worldwide and frequently results in central facial palsy, which manifests as facial asymmetry, impaired muscle control, and reduced functional ability. These impairments can affect speech, emotional expression, and overall quality of life. Conventional physiotherapy is commonly used to manage post-stroke facial palsy; however, the additional benefit of sensory-based rehabilitation approaches remains insufficiently explored, particularly in clinical settings with limited resources. This study was conducted to evaluate whether the addition of exteroceptive stimulation to conventional physiotherapy leads to greater improvement in facial symmetry and functional outcomes compared to conventional physiotherapy alone. Exteroceptive stimulation aims to enhance sensory input and facilitate neuromuscular activation, potentially improving motor recovery in affected facial muscles. In this double-blind randomized controlled trial, a total of 36 participants diagnosed with post-stroke facial palsy were recruited and randomly allocated into two groups. The experimental group received exteroceptive stimulation in addition to conventional physiotherapy, while the control group received conventional physiotherapy alone. Both interventions were administered over a period of four weeks. Outcome measures were assessed at baseline and at the end of the intervention period. The primary outcome was lip angle deviation, used as an indicator of facial symmetry. Secondary outcomes included facial function and disability assessed using standardized tools such as the Facial Disability Index and the Synkinesis Assessment Questionnaire. The findings of this study aim to provide evidence on the effectiveness of integrating sensory-based techniques into routine rehabilitation programs for post-stroke facial palsy. The results may support the development of more comprehensive and effective rehabilitation strategies to improve patient outcomes.
- Status (registry)
- Completed
- Study type
- Interventional
- Enrollment
- 36 (actual)
- First submitted
- 28 Apr 2026
- Start date
- 1 Aug 2025
- Primary completion date
- 24 Dec 2025
- Lead sponsor
- University of Faisalabad
- Diseases
- Stroke
- NCT number
- NCT07568769
What you commit to
- Study type: Interventional
- Participants enrolled: 36
- From 1 Aug 2025 to the primary completion date, 24 Dec 2025
- 1 site in 1 country
- Visits and tests: ask the trial team, the registry does not list them
Built from the registry fields of ClinicalTrials.gov. It describes the study, not your situation.
Who cannot take part
Copied verbatim from ClinicalTrials.gov and grouped by topic. Only the trial team decides who can take part.
Prior treatment
- Participation in other therapies for facial nerve
- Bilateral facial palsy due to demyelinating disease e.g. motor neuron disease, trigeminal neuralgia, Open wounds/ulcers, ENT impairment/Otitis Media, Repetitive previous history of stroke
- Invasive cardiac instrumentation such as endarterectomy or stent placement within 30 days prior to admission in ICU were excluded
Other illness
- Presence of neoplastic tumor, Pregnancy, Cardiac, Excessive perspiration, Psychiatric illness or Mental impairment, Neurotmesis, Post-surgical cases of heart and brain surgery
Who the study is looking for
- Patients diagnosed with post-stroke facial palsy
- Age between 40 and 55 years
- Both male and female participants
- Acute onset of facial weakness within 1-3 weeks
- Non-traumatic onset of disease
- Commitment to comply with electrical stimulation treatment
Age in the registry: 40 years to 55 years · Sex: All · Does not accept healthy volunteers
Sites (1)
Sites in registry order. Pick your city on the disease page to sort them by distance.
| Site | City | Country | Site status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tertiary Care Hospitals, Faisalabad, Pakistan Coordinator of this site? Confirm its status | Faisalābad | Pakistan | Unknown status |
This page is information, not medical advice. Discuss any trial with your doctor.