FOTOBIOMODULACION EN LA REGENERACION Y RECUPERACION FUNCIONAL DEL NERVIO FACIAL: UNA REVISION DE ALCANCE PHOTOBIOMODULATION IN FACIAL NERVE REGENERATION AND FUNCTIONAL RECOVERY: A SCOPING REVIEW

Facial nerve injury can compromise facial expression and quality of life, and conventional treatments do not always allow for complete functional recovery. Photobiomodulation (PBM) has emerged as a potential therapeutic strategy to promote facial nerve recovery. The aim of this scoping review was to map the available evidence on the use of PBM in facial nerve regeneration and functional recovery. A scoping review was conducted according to the PRISMA-ScR guidelines, using PubMed and Scopus searches up to March 2026. Primary studies in humans and animal models that evaluated PBM using low-level laser therapy were included. Twenty-two publications were identified, of which 20 were primary studies (11 clinical and 9 experimental) and 2 were secondary reviews used as background literature. The studies showed marked heterogeneity in application parameters, particularly in the wavelengths used. Nine of the 11 clinical studies described favorable results, defined as complete recovery or significant improvement, while the experimental studies reported findings related to axonal regeneration, myelination, and neurotrophic factor expression. The available evidence suggests favorable clinical and experimental results for FBM in facial nerve recovery; however, methodological and protocol heterogeneity limits the possibility of drawing definitive conclusions and highlights the need for controlled clinical trials and standardized protocols.