Facial Palsy: A Young Person and Family Study
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Exploring the Psychosocial Experiences of Young People and Their Families Living with Facial Palsy.
IRAS ID
331741
Contact name
Katie Hamilton
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Oxford University Hospitals
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 3 months, 31 days
Research summary
Facial palsy is a condition in which either one or both sides of the face is paralysed. You can either be born with it or acquire it during your lifetime. Facial Palsy can impact day to day living, including our ability to make facial expressions and our ability to eat, drink or open and close our eye. These difficulties in turn can have a big impact on the way in which we communicate. People with facial palsy have reported experiences of being misunderstood, bullied or stared at (Bogart, 2020). We know that adults living with facial palsy can experience higher levels of anxiety and depression compared to the general population (Hotton et al,2020). But there is limited research on the experiences of children with facial palsy and their families (Hotton et al, 2020).
This study aims to explore the experiences of children with facial palsy in terms of their day-to -day lives, and social and psychological wellbing. We are also interested to find out more information about the what the experience of having facial palsy in children has been like for families as a whole and their experience of accessing treatment and care. Information will be gathered through qualitative interviews. The research will better inform how we can care and support children with facial palsy coming into our service.
REC name
HSC REC A
REC reference
23/NI/0155
Date of REC Opinion
7 Dec 2023
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion