KABAT REHABILITATION FOR FACIAL NERVE PARALYSIS: PERSPECTIVE ON NEUROKINETIC RECOVERY AND REVIEW OF CLINICAL EVALUATION TOOLS

Background: Facial nerve paralysis (cranial nerve VII) is one of the most common neurological disorders affecting the cranial nerves. Symptoms of this disorder are not life threatening but can cause worry and discomfort. Peripheral paralysis of the facial nerve is a disabling pathology; it affects the functional, psychological, social and occupational aspects of life. The Kabatre habilitation method for facial paralysis can evoke or restore the neuromuscular circuit through stimulation of the proprioceptors, restoring the normal functionality of nerve endings in the muscles. Objectives: This study intends to demonstrate how patients can benefit, both aesthetically and functionally, from proper clinical evaluation followed by a rehabilitation program based on the Kabat method. Methods :The study is qualitative and has an experimental and multicenter design. Data was collected through a clinical record and using a specific questionnaire for this type of pathology for monitoring the satisfaction and improvements of the patient; Functionality evaluation of the facial nerve was based on the SFG Sand HB scales. Results :The study has shown that patients, who were treated with steroid-antiviral therapy and PNF rehabilitation method, recovered motor abilities of the paralyzed hemi facial. In addition, patients improved thermal, pain and position sensitivity. Conclusions: It is possible to conclude that a correct and timely diagnosis is very important, as well as using valid evaluation and data collection tools, properly managing the improvement through standardized clinical evaluation scales and a proper medical and physiotherapy treatment plan. Limitations: The limits encountered during the study were: limited number of samples; the short period of observation, not enough to include severe prognosis and full improvement of expressive gestures.