Management of Bell’s Palsy in an Elderly Patient with Dementia using Kinesiology Tape: A Case Report

Abstract

Bell’s palsy is an idiopathic nerve lesion involving the facial nerve and is the most common cause of lower motor neuron facial palsy. The management of Bell’s palsy involves the administration of corticosteroids and antiviral medications, physiotherapy including the use of kinesiology tape and time. This case report aims to use kinesiology tape as a rehabilitation tool for Bell’s palsy in an elderly patient with dementia. Due to the patient’s cognitive deficits associated with dementia, she had minimal participation in active rehabilitation and subsequently developed secondary impairments of drooling and ectropion. Kinesiology tape was applied to the patients face to improve facial symmetry, provide support and proprioceptive feedback. Following 10 weeks of application, the patient had reduced ectropion and eye irritation, improved facial symmetry and reduced drooling. The use of kinesiology tape in the rehabilitation of Bell’s palsy may be beneficial in those patients who have reduced capacity to participate in active rehabilitation programs.