Assessment of facial expressions - Version 01
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Four-Dimensional Imaging for The Analysis of Facial Muscle Movements in Patients with Unilateral Facial Paralysis
IRAS ID
198141
Contact name
Xiangyang Ju
Duration of Study in the UK
5 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
In an era of technological advancement, three-dimensional (3D) and four-dimentional (4D) facial imaging have been a breakthrough in the recent years. It is now considered a mainstream of clinical assessment and treatment planning of some clinical disciplines (E.g orthognathic Surgery) as it provides a reliable, reproducible and objective assessment method. On the contrary, the clinical assessment of patients suffering from facial paralysis is still subjective and lacks the ability to provide a through assessment. Current objective analyses provide two-dimensional, linear measurements of very limited number of facial landmarks (e.g corner of the mouth, corner of the eye). The distance between these landmarks both at rest and with maximal animation provides a subjective measure about the degree of facial animation and the impact of paralysis on facial muscular movements.
The aim of this study is to test the feasibility of 3D and 4D imaging as a clinical assessment tool for this group of patients. These imaging modalities proved their potential to provide a comprehensive recording of the dynamic movements of facial muscles. The goal of this study is first to assess the reproducibility of facial expressions in an asymmetric faces (facial palsy participants). Second, develop an objective assessment tool that provides a comprehensive assessment of the full face at rest and with various facial expressions and assess the impact of various treatment modalities in improving the asymmetry of facial expressions.
REC name
South Central - Oxford C Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/SC/0191
Date of REC Opinion
8 Apr 2016
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion