Conteúdos psíquicos e efeitos sociais associados à paralisia facial periférica: abordagem fonoaudiológica

Abstract

Summary Introduction:?The peripheral facial paralysis (PFP) results from the reduction or interruption of the axonal transport to the seventh cranial nerve resulting in complete or partial paralysis of the facial movements. The facial deformity and limitation of movements, besides affecting the aesthetics and functionality, can significantly interfere with interpersonal communication. Objective:?Investigate the psychological contents and other social effects associated to PFP in adult subjects, performing a comparative analysis in three groups of subjects with PFP: at flaccid, recovery and sequel phases. Method:?Quantitative and qualitative research. 16 adult subjects, from both sexes, aging between 43 and 88 years old, with PFP. Procedure:?Open interviews with subjects. The material was recorded in audio and video, literally transcribed, systematized through categorical and statistical analysis. Results:?The subjects bearing sequels presented higher statistical significance of psychological contents and social effects associated to PFP. Followed, respectively, by those that were on flaccid and recovery phases. The results suggest that the speech-language therapist, besides performing functional and aesthetical rehabilitation with the subject with PFP, needs to be aware of psychological and social aspects that may be involved, in order to evaluate and seek to reduce the degree of psychological distress and promote the social adjustment of these patients. Conclusion:?The biopsychosocial approach to patients with PFP revealed a wide and significant range of subjective contents that warrant new studies that may contribute to the effectiveness of the speech-language clinical method to approach this medical condition.

Aspectos psicossociais associados à paralisia facial periférica na fase sequelar: estudo de caso clínico

“…Once again, the myofunctional rehabilitation was important to the progress of the case presented above 3,17 , but listening therapeutically to its peculiarities was pivotal for a parallel recovery of the psychosocial aspects that were implied [4][5][6]8,10 . Moreover, it is worth noticing that the body is marked by symbolic records, thus making it necessary to investigate what leads the subject to psychic suffering, listening to the accounts and accepting his history…”

“…However, it is desirable not to overlook the psychic and social aspects associated to this clinical condition 3,17 . Thus, in addition to considering the peculiarities of the cases with PFP -selecting adequate approaches and strategies and paying attention to each patient's health conditions and nervous potential 3 -it must also be considered that rehabilitating facial movements is a fundamental condition for this subject to recover both socially and psychically [4][5][6]8,10 . Considering that the body is symbolically marked by subjective registers, it should be emphasized that when any region of the body is hurt, the individual's psychism is also affected.…”

“…It is observed that in people with PFP, there is an association between this clinical condition and the significant impacts in social activities, public behavior, professional performance and in interpersonal communication 4,5 .…”

“…In this circumstances, the subject suffers twice: for not having an expression that is socially appreciated, and, moreover, for attributing an extremely painful character to his or her limitations, which makes his or her identity more frail 4,10,19 . Therefore, the aim of this study is to describe and analyze the speech therapeutic process of a female patient in the sequelae stage of PFP, considering the implied psychic and social effects.…”

Efetividade da fonoterapia em pacientes com paralisia facial pós-parotidectomia

“…In addition to the visible changes involving facial movements and stomatognathic functions, facial paralysis can cause emotional and psychosocial changes that directly affect the quality of life of patients [9][10][11] .…”