Background: R.T., a 58-year-old female, experienced right-sided facial palsy following a hemorrhagic stroke, affecting her facial expressions and oral functions.
Intervention: Stimel-03 treatment started eight weeks post-stroke, targeting facial nerve stimulation and muscle retraining.
Treatment Protocol:
- Duration: 15 weeks
- Frequency: 2 sessions per week
- Session Length: 20 minutes
- Settings: Customized for facial muscle activation and coordination.
Clinical Observations:
- Sessions focused on activating specific facial muscles, improving symmetry and coordination.
- The Facial Disability Index was used to quantitatively measure improvements in facial function.
Progress Assessment: Improvements were quantitatively measured using the Facial Disability Index (FDI), which showed progressive enhancements in physical function and social function scores over the course of the treatment.
Outcomes:
- Enhanced symmetry in facial expressions and ability to perform voluntary movements such as smiling.
- Improved speech clarity and eating functionality, positively impacting her social interactions and emotional well-being.
Patient Feedback: R.T. expressed satisfaction with the improvements in facial symmetry and control, which significantly enhanced her ability to communicate and interact socially, reinstating a sense of normalcy in her daily interactions.
Discussion: R.T.’s recovery highlights the versatility of Stimel-03 in treating post-stroke facial palsy, emphasizing the broader impacts of improved facial muscle function on social and emotional aspects of life.