Hostname: page-component-77c89778f8-swr86 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-07-21T23:55:00.355Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Eye Exercises for Treatment of Idiopathic Cranial Nerve VII Paresis: Pilot Study

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 December 2014

Sylvia L. Rodriguez ,
Wilma M. Hopman  and
Martin W. ten Hove
Sylvia L. Rodriguez
Affiliation:
Department of Ophthalmology, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
Wilma M. Hopman
Affiliation:
Hotel Dieu Hospital, Clinical Research Centre, Department of Community Health and Epidemiology, Kingston General Hospital, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
Martin W. ten Hove*
Affiliation:
Department of Ophthalmology, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
*
Department of Ophthalmology, Queen's University/Hotel Dieu Hospital, 166 Brock Street, Kingston, Ontario, K7L 5G2, Canada.
Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Core share and HTML view are not available for this content. However, as you have access to this content, a full PDF is available via the ‘Save PDF’ action button.
Background:

To determine if fine-motor eye exercises can be used for treatment of unilateral, idiopathic cranial nerve VII paresis to improve rate of recovery.

Methods:

In this prospective, randomized controlled trial, eligible patients were randomized to perform fine-motor eye exercises (n=18) or to do no exercise (n=9) for a period of four weeks. Orbicularis oculi muscle strength was measured in paretic and unaffected eyes at baseline, two weeks and four weeks using an Orbicularis Oculi Pressure Sensor.

Results:

The average initial strength of the paretic orbicularis oculi muscle was 34±10 mm Hg compared to the unaffected muscle which was 103±17 mm Hg at baseline (n=27). By four weeks, patients who performed eye exercises improved more than those who did not (74.4 versus 47.4 mm Hg, p=0.029). While there was some loss to follow-up, 63.8% of patients performing exercises (7/11) achieved functional recovery at four weeks compared to 12.5% (1/8) of those who did not (p=0.059). Steroids and antivirals were found to have independent positive effects on improving functional outcome.

Conclusions:

Eye exercises have a potential role in the treatment of idiopathic cranial nerve VII paresis and warrant consideration in the management of these patients.

Type
Research Article
Information
Canadian Journal of Neurological Sciences , Volume 39 , Issue 2 , March 2012 , pp. 196 - 201
Copyright
Copyright © The Canadian Journal of Neurological 2012

References

1Pearce, JM.Sir Charles Bell (1774-1842). J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 1993; 56(8):913.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
2Rahman, I, Sadiq, SA.Ophthalmic management of facial nerve palsy: a review. Surv Ophthalmol. 2007; 52(2):121–44.Google Scholar
3Rowlands, S, Hooper, R, Hughes, R, Burney, P.The epidemiology and treatment of Bell’s palsy in the UK. Eur J Neurol. 2002; 9(1):63–7.Google Scholar
4Devriese, PP, Schumacher, T, Scheide, A, de Jongh, RH, Houtkooper, JM.Incidence, prognosis and recovery of Bell’s palsy. A survey of about 1000 patients (1974-1983). Clin Otolaryngol Allied Sci. 1990; 15(1):15–27.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
5Peitersen, E.Bell’s palsy: the spontaneous course of 2,500 peripheral facial nerve palsies of different etiologies. Acta Otolaryngol. 2002; Suppl 549:4–30.Google Scholar
6Sullivan, FM, Swan, IRC, Donnan, PT, et al.Early treatment with prednisolone or acyclovir in Bell’s palsy. N Engl J Med. 2007; 357(16):1598–607.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
7Grogan, PM, Gronseth, GS.Practice parameter: Steroids, acyclovir, and surgery for Bell’s palsy (an evidence-based review). Neurology. 2001; 56(7):830–6.Google Scholar
8Ghiora, A, Winter, ST.The conservative treatment of Bell’s palsy. A review of the literature, 1939-1960. Am J Phys Med. 1962; 41: 213–27.Google ScholarPubMed
9Ross, B, Nedzelski, JM, McLean, JA.Efficacy of feedback training in long-standing facial nerve paresis. Laryngoscope. 1991; 101: 744–51.Google Scholar
10ten Hove, WM, Melanson, M, Alexander, A.A novel method of Measuring Orbicularis Oculi Strength. European Neuro-ophthalmology Society Annual Meeting, Istanbul, Turkey, May 2007.Google Scholar