Discussion
muscle overactivity, central motor disorders, chronic facial paresis, peripheral facial paresis
To our knowledge, this study will be the first controlled study evaluating a facial motor strengthening program, through the strategy of Guided Self-rehabilitation Contracts, in the challenging treatment of chronic facial paresis. The study also represents uncommon involvement of a neurorehabilitation team, classically involved with central motor disorders, into the field of peripheral facial paresis. There are a number of arguments that support the plausibility that motor strengthening might help patients: (i) recover better emotional facial animation and (ii) reduce facial muscle overactivity.