Clinical features, evaluation, and management of speech and swallow complications of facial paralysis - A scoping review

Sep 29, 2026

Facial paralysis can cause dysarthria, oral residue during deglutition, dysphagia, and sialorrhea, yet prior literature on assessment and treatment has been limited. This scoping review analyzes current studies on how facial paralysis affects speech and oral competence, reviews available treatment options, and evaluates future implications. Literature searches used Ovid Medline ALL, Ovid Embase, and Cochrane Library. Findings highlight multiple assessment tools and treatments, but limited evidence for effectiveness against oral complications.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages13

Reading Time33 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Review methods

Results and conclusions

Implications for practice

JPRAS Open 48 (2026) 337–349 Contents lists available at ScienceDirect JPRAS Open journal [homepage:](homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/jpra)[ www.elsevier.com/locate/jpra](homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/jpra) Review Article Clinical features, evaluation, and management of speech and swallow complications of facial paralysis: A scoping review ✩ Mia Vargoa, Peng Dingb,c,∗, Michelle E. Adessab,c, Radhika Duggal c, Ravi Dhamijaa, Yiqing Tangd, Trisha Shang a, Katherine Wangf, Mary Schleicher e, Dane J. Gentherb, Patrick J. Byrne b a School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA b Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USAc Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA d Department of Neuroscience, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA e Cleveland Clinic Floyd D. Loop Alumni Library, Cleveland, OH, USA f Department of Cognitive Science, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA a r t i c l e i n f o Article history: Received 13 March 2025 Accepted 12 October 2025 Available online 20 October 2025 Keywords: Facial paralysis Oral competence Speech complications Assessment tools Treatment methods Literature review a b s t r a c t Objective: Facial paralysis may lead to complications such as dysarthria, oral residue during deglutition, dysphagia, and sialorrhea. Literature regarding the assessment and treatment of these complications in patients with facial paralysis has historically been limited. However, there continues to be new evidence in this ﬁeld that aims to ﬁll the gaps in our current understanding of this condition and its implications for patients. The primary aim of this study was to analyze the current literature regarding the effect of facial paralysis on speech and oral competence, discuss treatment options, and assess implications for the future. Data Sources: Ovid® Medline ALL, Ovid Embase, and Cochrane Library from Wiley. ✩ Poster Presentation: Mia Vargo, Peng Ding, Michelle E. Adessa et al. Clinical features, evaluation, and management of speech and swallow complications of facial paralysis: A scoping review. Poster presented at the American Academy of OtolaryngologyHead and Neck Surgery Annual Meeting; 2024; Miami, FL ∗ Corresponding author. E-mail address: [dingp@ccf.org](dingp@ccf.org) (P. Ding). [https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpra.2025.10.013](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpra.2025.10.013) 2352-5878/© 2025 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons. This is an open access article under the CC BY license ([http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/](http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)) M. Vargo, P. Ding, M.E. Adessa et al. JPRAS Open 48 (2026) 337–349 Review methods: A scoping review of the literature was conducted to investigate the effects of facial paralysis on speech and oral competence, as well as current evaluation and treatment methods in adult populations. Studies were assessed based on set inclusion criteria relevant to the goals of the review. Conclusion: Facial paralysis may lead to various speech and swallowing challenges. Numerous assessment tools and treatment options exist for facial paralysis, however, evidence regarding their effectiveness in managing oral complications is limited. Implications for practice: There is a need for consideration as well as standardization of the effect of facial paralysis on speech, swallowing, and saliva management. It may be reasonable to consider the inclusion of a speech language pathologist on the care team allowing for the early assessment of oral complications related to communication and deglutition. Additionally, there is need for both subjective and objective evaluation methods throughout the care timeline. Utilizing a broader interdisciplinary approach to management could potentially improve both patient outco

FAQs

What complications can facial paralysis lead to regarding speech and swallowing?

Facial paralysis may cause dysarthria, oral residue during deglutition, dysphagia, and sialorrhea, affecting communication and deglutition.

How did the review evaluate the literature?

The review used a scoping review approach for adult populations, assessing studies against inclusion criteria focused on speech, oral competence, and evaluation and treatment methods.

What is the key practice implication emphasized in the review?

The review calls for standardizing how facial paralysis impacts speech, swallowing, and saliva management and suggests including a speech-language pathologist for early assessment, using both subjective and objective evaluation methods.

Sep 29, 2026

Uploaded by Emma Wilson