Evaluation of the sensitivity of the Psychosocial Scale of Facial Appearance in peripheral facial paralysis.

Mabile Francine Ferreira Silva,Paulo Roberto Lazarini,Stela Verzinhasse Peres,Maria Claudia Cunha

doi:10.1590/2317-1782/20182018072

Abstract

To investigate the sensitivity and internal consistency of the Psychosocial Scale of Facial Appearance (PSFA) based on the comparison between its results and those from other facial functional assessment instruments: House-Brackmann scale (HBS) and Facial Grading System - and the psychosocial implications measured by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). The study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the aforementioned Institution under protocols no. 196.977 and 230.982. Thirty-eight adult individuals with Peripheral Facial Palsy (PFP) were submitted to closed interviews in order to evaluate the sensitivity of the questionnaire. Statistical analyses were conducted for each stage of this study. Data were entered in Excel® spreadsheet and analyzed using SPSS 17.0 and AMOS 22.0 for Windows®. Study participants were 38 individuals with PFP aged 19-78 years with predominance of idiopathic paralysis (44.7%). Results of the Cronbach's Alpha coefficient showed strong internal consistency between the thematic groups and the questions; however, Confirmatory Factor Analysis indicated some questions with week causal relationship between thematic groups, namely, questions 5 and 6 of the group Functional Aspects of Face, question 17 of the group Social Aspects, and question 23 of the group Emotional Aspects. This study provided the first steps for the subsidy and support of an instrument designed to investigate the psychosocial aspects associated with PFP, enabling the preparation of questions and their organization into thematic groups. However, further studies are needed to conclude the validation processes.

Highlights

Peripheral facial palsy (PFP) results from reduction or interruption of axonal transport to the seventh cranial nerve (CN VII), causing partial or complete paralysis of the facial mimetic muscles
Continuing with the aforementioned research, the present study addresses the applicability and reliability of the Psychosocial Scale of Facial Appearance (PSFA)[13,14] in order to contribute to the explanation/assessment of the psychosocial aspects in PFP and, by extension, in the therapeutic conduct and effectiveness of PFP treatment in Speech-language Pathology practice
The present study aimed to investigate the sensitivity and internal consistency of the PSFA based on the comparison between its results and those from other facial functional assessment instruments: House-Brackmann scale (HBS)(18) and Facial Grading System[19] - and the psychosocial implications measured by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS)(20)

Summary

Introduction

Peripheral facial palsy (PFP) results from reduction or interruption of axonal transport to the seventh cranial nerve (CN VII), causing partial or complete paralysis of the facial mimetic muscles This often occurs because the CN VII extends over a long course, presenting angles and a narrow channel known as the fallopian canal[1,2,3]. Complaints about loss of identity or not being able look at oneself have been commonly reported[6,7], and the pain of losing a facial characteristic can be worse when it occurs unexpectedly, as in PFP cases[8,9,10,11,12,13] In this context, previous studies have presented proposals of preparation of a questionnaire to investigate the psychosocial impact of PFP[12,13]. The results showed that the evaluation of the judges was essential for the improvement of this instrument, and that the pilot studies demonstrated that its application in the form of closed interviews is the most appropriate alternative for the research proposal, when participants present varied literacy skills and understanding of the questions[14,15,16]

Results

Discussion

Conclusion