A qualitative evaluation of patient experience of facial therapy

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  Qualitative evaluation of the impact of multidisciplinary group rehabilitation sessions and facial therapy for patients with unilateral facial palsy and synkinesis

• IRAS ID

  362000

• Contact name

  KAREN YOUNG

• Contact email

  karen.young16@nhs.net

• Sponsor organisation

  Queen Victoria NHS Foundation Trust

• Duration of Study in the UK

  0 years, 0 months, 26 days

• Research summary

  The facial therapy team at Queen Victoria have developed a specialised facial therapy programme which involves a series of structured online group sessions combining facial therapy and psychological therapy strategies for management of facial muscle synkinesis. Audits and patient experience feedback have been previously collected and it is now an opportune time to carry out a fuller qualitative review of patient experience of their rehabilitation from referral, class sessions and individualised therapy. We want to explore the impact their rehabilitation has had on living with and managing their facial palsy.

  The aim of the research is to hear directly from participants who have completed this online programme. Participants will be invited via an invitation email, to respond if they wish to be involved in the study.

  We aim to recruit 4 focus groups, led by an independent qualitative researcher, of 5-6 respondents each (lasting 1.5 hours) to discuss the following objectives
  1. Impact of facial palsy on their life (physical, social and psychological)
  2. Explore referral routes and treatment journey to access treatment
  3. Overall feelings about group therapy programme, it's strengths and weaknesses and value as part of the treatment process for facial palsy
  4. Explore expectations of the hospital programme versus the reality of their treatment journey and outcome
  5. Gain feedback on the programme from initial assessment, attending the group sessions, information material and individualised therapy.
  6. Explore what it felt like to be a group participant and any impact this had on motivation
  7. Explore views around the programme approach as a way of integrating self-management exercises into daily routine and sustainability of this adjustment over the longer term

  This review will provide a detailed treatment and service evaluation from a participant's perspective and results can be used to promote best practice and service delivery for this patient group

• REC name

  North West - Greater Manchester West Research Ethics Committee

• REC reference

  26/NW/0097

• Date of REC Opinion

  25 Mar 2026

• REC opinion

  Favourable Opinion