LASER THERAPY AND CRYOMASSAGE IN REHABILITATION OF PATIENTS WITH FACIAL NERVE NEUROPATHY

Cryomassage and its combination with low-intensity infra-red laser radiation have been introduced as a novel treatment of facial nerve neuropathy (FNN) in 32 patients. Electrophysiological investigations (facial thermography, classical electrodiagnosis, electromyography of the rnirnic muscles) and clinical data including those of long-term follow-up show that neither cryomassage nor infra-red laser radiation studied promote transformation of facial tissues in FNN patients. Use of the above factors is effective in a preclinical stage of forming contracture of the mimic muscles. Special techniques of application of local hypothermia and laser radiation can be used in multimodality treatment of both the established contracture and sluggish paresis of the facial muscles.