Function and Form Outcomes in Patients With Facial Paralysis

This study will be unique for the rehabilitation of patients with facial paralysis in that the focus is to generate novel 3D facial soft tissue measures to characterize the condition and temporal changes, and on the generation of future testable hypotheses to optimize surgical interventions and outcomes. In addition, the investigators will extend our previous work, beyond the facial circumoral and lip areas/zones, to characterize additional facial zones specific for facial paralysis. The approach for facial mapping of soft tissue movement, when validated through this proposed study, can be used for both surgical planning and to support the development and training of implantable facial pacing devices. Mapping both normal facial movements and movements of patients with unilateral facial paralysis are vital to describe the temporal and spatial course of the recovery process. Ultimately, this information can be used to inform clinicians on the precise placement of these devices and the signal strength needed to facilitate movements in the required 'paralyzed' facial zones until the recovery process has been completed.