A prospective cohort study assessing differences in cosmetic appreciation of lateralization while smiling in patients with a peripheral facial palsy*. Issue 4 (4th July 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Luijmes, Robin E.; Beurskens, Carien H. G.; Pouwels, Sjaak; Ingels, Koen J. A. O.
• Is Part Of: Laterality. Volume 23:Issue 4(2018)
• Page Start: 381
• Page End: 390
• Publication Date: 2018-07-04
• Subjects: Peripheral facial palsy -- cosmetic appreciation -- cosmetic attractiveness -- lateralization; Laterality -- Periodicals; Cerebral dominance -- Periodicals; 616.8
• DOI: 10.1080/1357650X.2017.1320403
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1357-650X

Abstract

ABSTRACT: We investigated the differences in cosmetic appreciation of patients with a left and a right peripheral facial palsy (PFP) while smiling. Smiling pictures of patients with a facial palsy with House–Brackmann II–VI were reversed as a mirror image and offered as a pair of pictures, together with the true image. Twenty-six patients with a PFP and 24 medical professionals familiar with facial palsy were asked to choose the most attractive photograph. Patients rated their own pictures. Medical professionals preferred pictures of patients with a right and left PFP in, respectively, a mean of 43.00 ± 12.25% and 57.00 ± 12.28% ( p = .005). Patients with a right PFP chose their mirror and true image in 65% and 35% in smiling pictures ( p = .01). Patients with a left PFP facial palsy chose their mirror and true image in 58% and 42% in smiling pictures ( p = .02). The House–Brackmann score and age of the patients did not influence preferences of medical professionals and patients. We have found that medical professionals have a significant preference for pictures of patients with a left PFP. Patients with a left PFP and right PFP significantly prefer their mirror image in smiling pictures.