Mindfulness in Nonflaccid Facial Paralysis

Launched by WAKE FOREST UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES · Aug 11, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is exploring whether mindfulness techniques—simple practices that help you focus on the present moment—can help people living with a type of facial paralysis called non-flaccid facial paralysis. This condition can cause muscle tightness or abnormal movements in the face, and the study aims to see if mindfulness can reduce feelings of anxiety, depression, and problems with body image that often come with this condition, as well as improve facial muscle control.

The study is looking for adults aged 65 to 74 who have had non-flaccid facial paralysis for at least eight months, caused by conditions like Bell's Palsy, Ramsay Hunt syndrome, Lyme disease, or after surgery for an acoustic neuroma (a type of non-cancerous tumor). People who have already had treatments like Botox injections or physical therapy for their facial paralysis, or who have had cancer or facial surgery, would not be eligible. Participants can expect to learn and practice mindfulness techniques during the study, though the trial has not yet started recruiting. This research could offer new ways to help manage the emotional and physical challenges of facial paralysis.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • - Diagnosed with non-flaccid facial paralysis (NFFP) due to Bell's Palsy, Ramsay Hunt syndrome, Lyme disease, or post-acoustic neuroma resection, at least 8 months from the initial diagnosis
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Received treatments such as botox or physical therapy for facial paralysis
• • History of malignancy or facial surgery