Video-Based Facial Movement Analysis in Facial Paralysis

August 26, 2026 updated by: Refika Belen Battal, Biruni University

Investigation of the Relationship Between Video-Based Objective Facial Movement Analysis and Clinical Assessment Scales in Patients With Facial Paralysis

This study aims to evaluate facial movements in patients with facial paralysis using video-based objective analysis and to examine the relationship between these video-based measurements and standard clinical assessment scales. Participants will be asked to perform simple facial movements, such as raising the eyebrows, closing the eyes tightly, smiling, showing the teeth, pursing the lips, and puffing the cheeks, while a video recording is taken. Researchers will also evaluate participants' facial function using established clinical rating scales and questionnaires. No medication will be given, no invasive procedures will be performed, and no changes will be made to participants' current treatment. The goal is to contribute to the development of more detailed, objective, and standardized methods for evaluating facial function in patients with facial paralysis.

Study Overview

Status

Not yet recruiting

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Study Type

Observational

Enrollment (Estimated)

49

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Contact Backup

Study Locations

  • Turkey (Türkiye)
    • Istanbul
      • Istanbul, Istanbul, Turkey (Türkiye), 34015
        • Biruni University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation
        • Contact:

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult
  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sampling Method

Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Adult patients diagnosed with facial paralysis presenting for clinical evaluation.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Diagnosis of facial paralysis (e.g., Bell's palsy)
  • Age 18 years and older
  • Willing and able to provide informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Presence of other neurological or craniofacial conditions affecting facial movement
  • Prior facial surgery affecting facial musculature
  • Inability to cooperate with video recording or clinical assessment procedures

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort
Intervention / Treatment
Facial Paralysis Patients
Patients diagnosed with facial paralysis who underwent a single evaluation session including video-based objective facial motion analysis and clinical facial function assessment scales.
Diagnostic test: Video-Based Objective Facial Motion Analysis
Video recording of standardized facial movements (eyebrow raise, eye closure, smile, teeth showing, lip pursing, cheek puffing) followed by objective, video-based analysis and comparison with clinical facial assessment scales. This is a non-therapeutic, non-invasive assessment procedure and does not constitute a treatment intervention.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Agreement Between Video-Based Objective Facial Motion Analysis and Clinical Facial Assessment Scale Scores
Time Frame: Single assessment session (Day 1)
The degree of agreement/correlation between facial movement parameters obtained from video-based objective analysis and scores obtained from standardized clinical facial assessment scales, evaluated during the same session.
Single assessment session (Day 1)
Sunnybrook Facial Grading System
Time Frame: Baseline
The Sunnybrook Facial Grading System (SFGS) is a clinician-rated outcome measure used to assess facial nerve function in individuals with facial paralysis. The scale evaluates three components: resting facial symmetry, voluntary facial movement, and synkinesis. Resting symmetry is assessed in the eye, cheek (nasolabial fold), and mouth regions, while voluntary movement is evaluated during five standardized facial expressions. Synkinesis is scored based on the presence and severity of involuntary associated movements during voluntary facial tasks. The composite score is calculated using the standard Sunnybrook scoring formula and ranges from 0 to 100, where 0 indicates complete facial paralysis with severe asymmetry and synkinesis, and 100 indicates normal facial function without asymmetry or synkinesis. Higher scores represent better facial nerve function.
Baseline
FDI (Facial Disability Index):
Time Frame: Baseline
The Facial Disability Index (FDI) is a patient-reported outcome measure used to assess the impact of facial paralysis on physical function and social well-being. The questionnaire consists of 10 items divided into two subscales: Physical Function (5 items) and Social/Well-being Function (5 items). Each subscale is transformed to a score ranging from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating better function, less disability, and better health-related quality of life. Participants complete the questionnaire independently according to their perceived level of facial disability.
Baseline
House-Brackmann Facial Grading System (HBGS)
Time Frame: Baseline
The House-Brackmann Facial Grading System (HBGS), the Sunnybrook Facial Grading System (SFGS), and the Facial Disability Index (FDI) will be used to evaluate facial nerve function and patient-reported disability. HBGS is a clinician-rated six-grade scale assessing the overall severity of facial nerve dysfunction. The Sunnybrook Facial Grading System provides a composite score (0-100) based on resting symmetry, voluntary facial movements, and synkinesis, with higher scores indicating better facial function. The Facial Disability Index is a patient-reported outcome measure consisting of Physical Function and Social/Well-being subscales (0-100), where higher scores indicate less disability and better quality of life.
Baseline

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Biruni University

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Estimated)

September 1, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

February 20, 2027

Study Completion (Estimated)

June 20, 2027

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

August 19, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

August 19, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

August 21, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

August 28, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

August 26, 2026

Last Verified

August 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • 2024-BİAEK/20-33

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

Subscribe