Updated Practice Guidelines for Treatment of Bell Palsy

In 2001, the American Academy of Neurology Quality Standards Subcommittee concluded that glucocorticoids were “probably effective” and antivirals “possibly effective” in the treatment of Bell palsy. The committee recently reconvened to assess evidence-based articles published since 2000.

Three new Class I or II studies of glucocorticoids for Bell palsy became available since the 2001 review. The new studies included 1031 participants, compared with 77 participants in studies done before 2000. When glucocorticoids were used within 3 days of facial-weakness onset, a more favorable outcome (“good” or “complete” recovery) was seen in 13% to 15%, (number needed to treat, 6–8). The two dosages from the largest trials were prednisolone 60 mg per da…