Med Lasers.  2020 Dec;9(2):89-94. 10.25289/ML.2020.9.2.89.

Photobiomodulation Therapy in Recovery of Peripheral Facial Nerve Damage

• Choi JE

• KMID: 2533473
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.25289/ML.2020.9.2.89

Abstract

Photobiomodulation (PBM) therapy has been investigated to enhance and accelerate the recovery of injured peripheral nerves. Based on the wide range of benefits of PBM therapy and its clinical relevance, this study reviewed the efficacy of PBM in injured facial nerves. The search was performed in the PubMed database to find relevant articles published over the last 10 years. Four animal studies, two randomized controlled studies, one case series, and five case reports were reviewed. Despite the various parameters, functional analysis showed that PBM therapy using near-infrared irradiation has beneficial effects on the recovery of the acute phase of the damaged facial nerve, especially when related to faster functional improvement. There were no reported adverse effects of PBM therapy.

Keyword

Facial nerve; Low-level laser therapy; Photobiomodulation; Bell’s palsy