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eFace shows reliability in assessing facial paralysis

The Electronic Facial Paralysis Assessment, or eFACE, tool was associated with high inter-observer and intra-observer reliability in evaluating facial paralysis.

Three observers with varying degrees of experience with facial paralysis watched video recordings of 83 individuals with facial paralysis.

The eFACE score showed an intra-observer intraclass reliability coefficient of 0.84 to 0.91. The inter-observer intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.81 to 0.83.

Correlation between eFACE also was reported with a number of other grading systems of facial paralysis, including House-Brackmann (Spearman rho = 0.73), Sunnybrook (Spearman rho = 0.77) and Sydney (Spearman rho = 0.77).

Sub-domain analysis findings indicated that eFACE correlated in terms of dynamic movement with both Sunnybrook (Spearman rho = 0.90) and Sydney (Spearman rho = 0.89). A correlation was also observed for synkinesis between eFACE and Sunnybrook (Spearman rho range = 0.74) and Sydney (Spearman rho range = 0.72).

Poor correlation was observed between eFACE and the Facial Disability Index (Spearman rho = 0.25).

A mean duration of 116 ± 61 seconds was required to complete eFACE. – by Rob Volansky

Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.