Patient Perspectives on Complementary and Alternative Medicine for Facial Synkinesis

Sunday, October 18, 2026

10:18 AM - 10:24 AM PT

Location: 404A

Presenting Author(s)

AB

Alexander J. Barna, MD, MPH

Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery Resident
Cleveland Clinic Foundation
Cleveland, OH, United States
AB

Alexander J. Barna, MD, MPH

Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery Resident
Cleveland Clinic Foundation
Cleveland, OH, United States

Co-Author(s)

Rahul K. Sharma, MD

Resident Physician
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Nashville, Tennessee, United States
Rahul K. Sharma, MD

Resident Physician
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Nashville, Tennessee, United States
Montana K. Upton, MD

Montana Upton
Indiana University School of Medicine
Nashville, TN, United States
Montana K. Upton, MD

Montana Upton
Indiana University School of Medicine
Nashville, TN, United States
SS

Scott J. Stephan, MD

Scott Stephan
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Nashville, TN, United States
SS

Scott J. Stephan, MD

Scott Stephan
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Nashville, TN, United States
Priyesh N. patel, MD

Priyesh Patel
Vanderbilt Univeristy Medical Center
Nashville, Tennessee, United States
Priyesh N. patel, MD

Priyesh Patel
Vanderbilt Univeristy Medical Center
Nashville, Tennessee, United States

Senior Author(s)

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shiayin F. yang, MD

Shiayin Yang
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Nashville, Tennessee, United States
sy

shiayin F. yang, MD

Shiayin Yang
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Nashville, Tennessee, United States

Co-Author(s)

sy

shiayin F. yang, MD

Shiayin Yang
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Nashville, Tennessee, United States
sy

shiayin F. yang, MD

Shiayin Yang
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Nashville, Tennessee, United States

Disclosure(s):

Alexander J. Barna, MD, MPH:

faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

Introduction: Half of Americans have tried Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM), with notably increased rates of utilization by patients with chronic conditions. Despite this, there remains limited data on CAM use in facial paralysis and synkinesis. The objective of this study is to assess CAM use and opinions in patients with facial synkinesis

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was distributed to patients at a tertiary facial nerve center and online via ResearchMatch.org, assessing facial paralysis history, CAM use, interest, and experiences. The validated Complementary Alternative Medicine Beliefs Inventory (CAMBI) was used to evaluate beliefs about natural treatments, treatment participation, and holistic health.

Results: Surveys were completed by 98 patients and show 46.9% currently or previously used CAM for facial synkinesis. Of those who have used CAM, the most common practices were acupuncture (56.5%), massage (39.1%), and chiropractic (28.3%). Over half of patients (56.1%) reported benefits of CAM use, with the most common being decreased facial tightness and improved emotional well-being. General interest in CAM was high (88.8%), with acupuncture and massage being the most preferred (61.2% each), followed by chiropractic (28.6%) and homeopathy (22.4%). Respondents were willing to spend an average of $345 (range: $0-$1000+). While 62.5% preferred western medicine, 37.5% favored CAM as their primary treatment strategy.

Conclusions: CAM presents a popular and subjectively beneficial treatment adjunct for patients with facial paralysis. Further research is needed to objectively assess its effectiveness in this vulnerable patient population.