Effect of Adjuvant Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy on Bells Palsy Outcome
Effect of Adjuvant Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy on Bells Palsy Outcome
This is a randomized, single blinded, non-placebo controlled that will compare one group of
 Bells Palsy patients receiving the current standard of care including oral corticosteroids
 and oral antivirals against an experimental group receiving the current standard of care in
 addition to hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Outcome assessment will be based on both objective
 analyses of facial movements as well as subjective quality of life scales.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  18 years or older exhibiting unilateral facial paralysis progressing to completion in
 4 days or less.

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  No patients from vulnerable populations as listed above will be included.

 -  Subjects must be able to travel to NYULMC continually during the first 12 months
 following enrollment.

 -  During the initial visit candidates must have no associated clinical signs or symptoms
 consistent with other causes of facial palsy. This includes but is not limited to:
 auricular papules, skin rashes, parotid masses, craniofacial trauma, and the presence
 of other cranial or distal neuropathies excluding facial numbness, change in taste,
 and/or hyperacusis.

 -  Patients with atypical presentations will be referred for cross-sectional imaging and
 excluded.

 -  Patients with histories consistent with possible recent tick exposure, rashes,
 headaches, or excessive fatigue will be serologically tested for Lyme disease and
 excluded if it returns positive.

 -  Pneumothorax within the last two years is the only absolute medical exclusion criteria
 (FF).

 -  Patients who are epileptics, or are claustrophobic, will be carefully counseled on the
 risks of HBOT before being allowed to enroll.

 -  Patients with severe comorbidities will undergo evaluation by their primary care
 doctor and require physician approval prior to enrollment.