Item request has been placed! ×
Item request cannot be made. ×
loading  Processing Request

Effect of electrical stimulation in conjunction with mirror therapy and massage to decrease synkinesis in a patient with chronic Ramsay Hunt Syndrome: a case report.

Item request has been placed! ×
Item request cannot be made. ×
loading   Processing Request
Read Online Read More Add to Saved list
  • Author(s): McCrum S;McCrum S
  • Source:
    Physiotherapy theory and practice [Physiother Theory Pract] 2025 Oct; Vol. 41 (10), pp. 2220-2227. Date of Electronic Publication: 2025 May 04.
  • Publication Type:
    Journal Article; Case Reports
  • Language:
    English
  • Additional Information
    • Source:
      Publisher: Informa Healthcare Country of Publication: England NLM ID: 9015520 Publication Model: Print-Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1532-5040 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 09593985 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Physiother Theory Pract Subsets: MEDLINE
    • Publication Information:
      Publication: London : Informa Healthcare
      Original Publication: London, UK ; Hillsdale, N.J. : Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, c1990-
    • Subject Terms:
      Massage* ; Electric Stimulation Therapy* ; Synkinesis*/therapy ; Synkinesis*/etiology ; Synkinesis*/physiopathology ; Synkinesis*/diagnosis ; Herpes Zoster Oticus*/therapy ; Herpes Zoster Oticus*/complications ; Herpes Zoster Oticus*/diagnosis ; Herpes Zoster Oticus*/physiopathology; Humans ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Treatment Outcome ; Chronic Disease
    • Abstract:
      Background: Ramsay Hunt Syndrome (RHS) is a late complication of chickenpox often associated with facial paralysis and synkinesis. Treatments for acute-onset facial paralysis or synkinesis from any cause may include physical therapy (PT) that focuses on electromyography (EMG) biofeedback, stretching, and heat. Less research has focused on treating synkinesis resulting from RHS.
      Objective: The purpose of this case report was to assess the effectiveness of adding neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) to more well-studied PT treatments, such as mirror therapy and massage, for decreasing synkinesis in chronic RHS.
      Case Description: The patient was a 62-year-old female with RHS. One year after diagnosis, she began PT to decrease synkinesis with the use of NMES, exercise, and massage. The synkinesis protocol was performed during twice-weekly clinic appointments lasting four weeks, and the patient performed the protocol at home twice daily.
      Outcomes: Assessment of facial appearance and function utilized the Sunnybrook Facial Grading System (SFGS) and Synkinesis Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ). SFGS score improved from 64/100 to 89/100. SAQ score improved from 25/45 to 11/45. Both demonstrated decreased synkinesis during smiling and lip puckering.
      Conclusion: After four weeks the patient showed improved symmetry and decreased unintended right eye movements during mouth movements, assessed by objective and subjective measures. Long-term studies would add to the body of knowledge for treating facial abnormalities.
    • Contributed Indexing:
      Keywords: Ramsay Hunt Syndrome; case report; neuromuscular electrical stimulation; physical therapy; synkinesis
    • Publication Date:
      Date Created: 20250504 Date Completed: 20250923 Latest Revision: 20250923
    • Publication Date:
      20250923
    • Accession Number:
      10.1080/09593985.2025.2501061
    • Accession Number:
      40320565