Tools for Return of Facial Function
Translating Science Into Tools for Return of Facial Function
This study will evaluate novel intraoral (inside-the-mouth) splints designed to gently stretch facial tissues that have become tight or scarred following facial trauma, including burn injuries and gunshot wounds. Scar contractures can limit mouth opening, facial movement, and facial expressions, affecting daily function and quality of life.
Participants aged 7 years and older with facial contractures will be fitted with one or more silicone splints selected by a trained speech-language pathologist based on each participant's areas of restriction. The splints are available in different shapes and sizes and are designed to provide passive stretching to targeted areas of the face and mouth.
Researchers will assess changes in facial mobility, mouth opening, facial symmetry, and range of facial expression using clinical measurements and facial movement analysis software. The study will also help identify appropriate treatment protocols for use of the splints.
The researchers expect that use of the splints may improve facial movement and function, reduce the effects of scar contractures, and potentially decrease the need for future surgical procedures to improve facial mobility. Findings from this study may support a new treatment option for individuals with facial scarring due to burns or other traumatic injuries.
Studie Overzicht
Toestand
Conditie
Interventie / Behandeling
Studietype
Inschrijving (Geschat)
Fase
- Niet toepasbaar
Contacten en locaties
Studiecontact
- Naam: Kathleen Kerr, MS
- Telefoonnummer: 409-772-2711
- E-mail: kmkerr@UTMB.EDU
Studie Locaties
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Texas
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Galveston, Texas, Verenigde Staten, 77555
- The University of Texas Medical Branch
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Deelname Criteria
Geschiktheidscriteria
Leeftijden die in aanmerking komen voor studie
- Kind
- Volwassen
- Oudere volwassene
Accepteert gezonde vrijwilligers
Beschrijving
Inclusion Criteria:
- Age 7-100
- Male or Female Sex
- Patients who have sustained facial trauma, facial injury or a facial burn and are now in the chronic phase
- Chief complaint(s) of limited mouth opening, difficulty chewing or speaking, decreased range of motion for oral structures, and/or limited facial expressions
- Subject or caregiver (parent or guardian, in case of pediatric population) must be able to give informed consent
- Subject or caregiver (parent or guardian, in case of pediatric population) must be able to perform exercises at home and must be able to record time spent using the splints
- Participants who are undergoing other treatment methods such as facial surgeries, use of compression garments, skin grafting, etc., must suspend all these treatments for the duration of the 8-week trial
- Access to internet and smartphone or computer capable of taking screenshots and with adequate audio and video capabilities (for those opting to participate via telehealth sessions
Exclusion Criteria:
- Planned or unplanned surgeries for facial skin grafting around lips or nose, or oral commissure release during the 8-week trial
- Completion of any massaging or other stretching exercises or programs not specified by the investigators
- Use of new creams or topical treatments for the duration of enrollment in the study
- Acutely burn-injured patients
- Incarceration or pregnancy
- History of neurological deficit
Studie plan
Hoe is de studie opgezet?
Ontwerpdetails
- Primair doel: Behandeling
- Toewijzing: NVT
- Interventioneel model: Opdracht voor een enkele groep
- Masker: Geen (open label)
Wapens en interventies
Deelnemersgroep / Arm |
Interventie / Behandeling |
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Experimenteel: Intraoral Splint Therapy
Participants with facial burns or other facial trauma resulting in orofacial contractures, scarring, fibrosis, or limited facial movement will receive individualized treatment using intraoral stretching splints.
A trained speech-language pathologist will select the appropriate splint shape, size, and placement based on each participant's areas of facial restriction.
Participants will use the prescribed splint or splints twice daily for approximately 60 minutes per session over an 8-week treatment period, with weekly assessments and adjustment of the treatment plan as needed.
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A set of three silicone intraoral splints (ball, bar, and boomerang shapes) designed to provide passive stretching of scarred or contracted orofacial tissues.
Splints are available in multiple sizes and may be used unilaterally or bilaterally to target specific areas of facial tightness and restricted movement.
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Wat meet het onderzoek?
Primaire uitkomstmaten
Uitkomstmaat |
Maatregel Beschrijving |
Tijdsspanne |
|---|---|---|
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Change in Facial Landmark Excursion
Tijdsspanne: Baseline to Week 8
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Change from baseline in excursion (millimeters) between predefined facial landmarks during standardized facial expressions (rest, nose wrinkle, broad smile, lip pucker, and maximum mouth opening), measured using customized facial measurement software.
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Baseline to Week 8
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Secundaire uitkomstmaten
Uitkomstmaat |
Maatregel Beschrijving |
Tijdsspanne |
|---|---|---|
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Change in Vertical Range of Mouth Opening (VROM)
Tijdsspanne: Baseline to Week 8
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Change from baseline in maximum vertical mouth opening measured in millimeters using a digital caliper.
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Baseline to Week 8
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Change in Horizontal Range of Mouth Opening (HROM)
Tijdsspanne: Baseline to Week 8
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Change from baseline in maximum horizontal mouth opening measured in millimeters using a digital caliper.
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Baseline to Week 8
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Change in Mouth Impairment and Disability Assessment (MIDA) Score
Tijdsspanne: Baseline and Week 8
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Change from baseline in functional impairment and disability related to oral function as measured by the Mouth Impairment and Disability Assessment (MIDA).
The MIDA includes patient-reported and clinician-assessed measures of symptoms, impairment, and functional activities.
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Baseline and Week 8
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Change in CARe Burn Scale Score
Tijdsspanne: Baseline and Week 8
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Change from baseline in burn-specific quality of life as measured by the age-appropriate CARe Burn Scale questionnaire.
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Baseline and Week 8
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Medewerkers en onderzoekers
Studie record data
Bestudeer belangrijke data
Studie start (Geschat)
Primaire voltooiing (Geschat)
Studie voltooiing (Geschat)
Studieregistratiedata
Eerst ingediend
Eerst ingediend dat voldeed aan de QC-criteria
Eerst geplaatst (Werkelijk)
Updates van studierecords
Laatste update geplaatst (Werkelijk)
Laatste update ingediend die voldeed aan QC-criteria
Laatst geverifieerd
Meer informatie
Termen gerelateerd aan deze studie
Aanvullende relevante MeSH-voorwaarden
Andere studie-ID-nummers
- 25-0178
Informatie over medicijnen en apparaten, studiedocumenten
Bestudeert een door de Amerikaanse FDA gereguleerd geneesmiddel
Bestudeert een door de Amerikaanse FDA gereguleerd apparaatproduct
product vervaardigd in en geëxporteerd uit de V.S.
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