APPLICATION OF BOTULINUM TOXIN TYPE A IN REHABILITATION FOR FACIAL CORRECTION OF BELL'S PALSY

Authors

  • Débora Christian de Moura Santos Author
  • Ricardo Ferreira Nunes Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.56238/levv17n61-028

Keywords:

Bell's Palsy, Peripheral Facial Paralysis, Botulinum Toxin Type A, Facial Rehabilitation, Synkinesis, Facial Symmetry

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Bell's palsy is the most prevalent etiology of idiopathic peripheral facial paralysis, characterized by acute and unilateral involvement of the seventh cranial nerve. Although spontaneous recovery occurs in most cases, approximately 20% of patients develop permanent neuromotor sequelae—such as synkinesis, spasms, and chronic asymmetry—generating severe functional, aesthetic, and psychosocial impact. In this scenario, botulinum toxin type A (BTA) emerges as a relevant complementary resource in facial rehabilitation. The objective of this work is to analyze the scientific evidence on the application of BTA in these sequelae. METHODOLOGY: This is an integrative literature review conducted in the PubMed, SciELO, LILACS, and Google Scholar databases. The search was based on controlled descriptors without language restrictions, selecting articles published between 2021 and 2026. RESULTS: The data showed that botulinum toxin type A (BTA) significantly improves facial symmetry, attenuates involuntary spasms, and reduces the severity of synkinesis, in addition to providing significant functional gains in orofacial activities and relevant psychosocial benefits. FINAL CONSIDERATIONS: TBA represents a safe, effective, and well-tolerated therapeutic alternative. It is concluded that its integration into interdisciplinary protocols is consolidated as a tool of high clinical value in the management of sequelae of Bell's palsy.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

ANDALÉCIO, M. M. et al. O uso de toxina botulínica no tratamento da paralisia facial periférica. Research, Society and Development, v. 10, n. 9, p. 1–9, 2021. Disponível em: http://dx.doi.org/10.33448/rsd-v10i9.17935. Acesso em: 12 março 2026.

CAMPOS, M. S. A. et al. Uso da toxina botulínica como tratamento adjuvante das assimetrias faciais causadas pela paralisia parcial periférica. Revista Eletrônica Acervo Saúde, v. 25, n. 1, p. e18554, 2025. Disponível em: https://acervomais.com.br/index.php/saude/article/view/18554. Acesso em: 12 março 2026.

CARRÉ, F.; AMAR, J.; TANKÉRÉ, F.; FOIRES,C. Botulinum Toxin Injections to Manage Sequelae of Peripheral Facial Palsy. Toxins, Basel, v. 16, n. 3, p. 161, mar. 2024. Disponível em: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38535827/. Acesso em: 22 março 2026.

CAVALCANTE, L. F. et al. Toxina botulínica como terapia estética para paralisia facial periférica de Bell: revisão de literatura. Brazilian Journal of Health Review, v. 5, n. 6, p. 21034-21045, 2022. Disponível em: https://ojs.brazilianjournals.com.br/ojs/index.php/BJHR/article/view/50840. Acesso em: 04 abril 2026.

COSTA, S. A. de A. et al. Reabilitação da assimetria facial decorrente da paralisia facial de Bell com uso de toxina botulínica. Revista Eletrônica Acervo Saúde, v. 25, n. 8, p. e21238, 2025. Disponível em: https://acervomais.com.br/index.php/saude/article/view/21238. Acesso em: 04 abril 2026.

DE SANCTIS PECORA, C.; SHITARA, D. Botulinum Toxin Type A to Improve Facial Symmetry in Facial Palsy: A Practical Guideline and Clinical Experience. Toxins, Basel, v. 13, n. 2, p. 159, fev. 2021. Disponível em: https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6651/16/3/16. Acesso em: 11 abril 2026.

ÊNIA, Juliana Roberta Neves et al. Toxina botulínica no tratamento da paralisia facial: um tratamento reabilitador minimamente invasivo. Research, Society and Development, v. 10, n. 5, p. e40510515204, 2021. Disponível em: http://dx.doi.org/10.33448/rsd-v10i5.15204. Acesso em: 13 abril 2026.

FERNANDEZ, M. et al. Uso de Toxina Botulínica do Tipo A em Sequela Hipercinética Muscular de Paralisia de Bell. Revista da AcBO, v. 11, n. 3, p. 1-10, 2022. Disponível em: https://doi.org/10.54751/revistafoco.v18n3-090. Acesso em: 22 maio 2026.

FERREIRA DOS SANTOS, C. et al. Aplicação de toxina botulínica tipo A em paciente com paralisia facial periférica de Bell: relato de caso. RSBO: Revista Sul-Brasileira de Odontologia, v. 17, n. 2, p. 221–225, 2020. Disponível em: https://research.ebsco.com/linkprocessor/plink?id=6b30cc2d-3e93-3378-8927-f73087b1c656. Acesso em: 01 maio 2026.

KHAN, Amir J. et al. Physical therapy for facial nerve paralysis (Bell's palsy): An updated and extended systematic review of the evidence for facial exercise therapy. Clinical Rehabilitation, v. 36, n. 11, p. 1424-1449, 2022. Disponível em: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/02692155221110727. Acesso em: 01 maio 2026.

KIM, J. Advances in facial paralysis rehabilitation protocols. Neurology & Therapy, v. 13, n. 1, p. 55-67, 2024. Disponível em: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12213301/. Acesso em: 01 maio 2026.

ROBERTO, T.; MARIANA, M.; DANIELA, P. Toxina botulínica na paralisia facial. Research, Society and Development, v. 12, n. 7, p. e19112742740, 2023. Disponível em: https://rsdjournal.org/rsd/article/view/42740. Acesso em: 22 maio 2026.

SOUZA, A. P.; CARVALHO, E. B. Facial filling and botulinum toxin in a patient with Bell's palsy: case report. Research, Society and Development, v. 13, n. 2, p. 1-10, 2024. Disponível em: https://rsdjournal.org/rsd/article/view/45858. Acesso em: 7 setembro 2025.

SOUZA, F. A. Paralisia de Bell: aspectos clínicos. DêCiência em Foco, v. 7, n. 1, p. 1-12, 2023. Disponível em: https://revistas.uninorteac.edu.br/index.php/DeCienciaemFoco0/article/view/166. Acesso em: 12 outubro 2025.

Published

2026-06-09

How to Cite

SANTOS, Débora Christian de Moura; NUNES, Ricardo Ferreira. APPLICATION OF BOTULINUM TOXIN TYPE A IN REHABILITATION FOR FACIAL CORRECTION OF BELL’S PALSY. LUMEN ET VIRTUS, [S. l.], v. 17, n. 61, p. e13430 , 2026. DOI: 10.56238/levv17n61-028. Disponível em: https://periodicos.newsciencepubl.com/LEV/article/view/13430. Acesso em: 13 jun. 2026.