e-Health and telemedicine implementation in facial paralysis: challenges and pitfalls

Abstract

During the current Covid-19 pandemic, a lot of changes had to be made in the care of patients with facial nerve paralysis (FNP). FNP is a life-changing condition with effects on both physical (both esthetic and functional) and psychological aspects of the patient’s life. Telemedicine could be a suitable alternative in the therapy for these patients, since it is often not possible to travel to outpatient clinics or to have normal face-to-face appointments with treating physicians because of pandemic restrictions. This review provides an overview of the current literature in the treatment of FNP during the pandemic and the role of telemedicine/e-Health. Secondly, we will discuss the challenges and pitfalls of implementing e-Health and telemedicine applications in clinical practice. Level of evidence: Not ratable

A Telerehabilitation Approach to Chronic Facial Paralysis in the COVID-19 Pandemic Scenario: What Role for Electromyography Assessment?

“…Since facial palsy is managed and treated only in highly specialized medical facilities, several patients have access problems, mainly due to distance, time constraints, mobility, and frequency of visits [ 53 ]. Their physician could envision a telemedicine setting so that patients might receive the same standard of care from home, minimizing the number of face-to-face assessments [ 54 ]. Moreover, these problems, in combination with the current COVID-19 crisis, result in a growing demand for electronic/mobile health applications and, with rapidly increasing communication technology, make it more possible than ever [ 55 ].…”

“…Given the results of our study’s approach to telemedicine, health practitioners should support and encourage the development of telemedicine, including with policies and protocols, facilitating its accessibility to healthcare professionals [ 54 ]. With the COVID-19 pandemic, telemedicine could become an integral part of medical education, not underestimating developments in the protection of privacy, but above all by developing more accessible strategies for health professionals in order to increase the care of these patients with chronic disorders [ 55 , 56 ].…”

Pathogenesis, diagnosis and therapy of facial synkinesis: A systematic review and clinical practice recommendations by the international head and neck scientific group

“…Furthermore, patients with facial synkinesis show a high interest in innovative digital solutions for facial rehabilitation ( 44 ). Boosted by the pandemic, the future focus may be on home-based sensor-based digital technology solutions with remote monitoring by the facial therapist, thus facilitating frequent intensive training sessions ( 93 ).…”

The Feasibility of An Automatical Facial Evaluation System Providing Objective and Reliable Results for Facial Palsy

“…Grade I represented the normal status and the grade IV represented the most severe facial palsy [38]. The SFGS, with a total score of 100, combined static and dynamic evaluation, and synkinesis of the paralyzed face [39]. Higher scores stand for better facial motor function.…”