Validation of the objective assessment of facial movement with a new software-based system |
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| Authors: | Simonetta Monini Chiara Filippi Franco Marinozzi Mario di Traglia Fabiano Bini Silvia Marchelletta |
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| Affiliation: | 1. ENT Clinic, NESMOS Department, Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy;2. Department of Mechanical and Aereospace Engineering, Sapienza University of Rome Italy;3. Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy |
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| Abstract: | Background: Most used subjective Unilateral Peripheral Facial Palsy (UPFP) grading systems are characterized by high variability and low reproducibility and doesn’t allow a separate evaluation of single facial regions.Objective: To assess the reliability of a new objective method for classification of UPFP, comparing it with House-Brackmann (HB) and Sunnybrook facial grading (SFGS) systems.Method: Forty-seven patients affected by UPFP of different HB grade were included. Each patient underwent a blinded examination by three different operators, via the two subjective methods (HBGS and SFGS) and a newly proposed objective one, that was obtained from a digital video-analysis, named SMART FACIAL system. Results were converted by validated conversion scales into HBGS grades and statistically compared.Results: In 87,23% (n° 41 pts) consistency was found between the grades obtained with all the three evaluation methods; in 10,41% (n°5 pts), between HBGS and SFGS grade and in 2,08% (n°1?pt) between HBGS grades and SMART-FACIAL system. Statistical analysis showed significant correlation among the three systems (p?Conclusions: The SMART FACIAL system presents high reliability also in comparison with the most frequently used subjective methods.Significance: This method represents a fast, simple and thorough way to analyze UPFP, especially during physical rehabilitation. |
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| Keywords: | Facial palsy grading system House–Brackmann grading system Sunnybrook grading system objective grading videotaping |
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