Myoelectric-controlled interface for facial nerve paralysis
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Operation of a myoelectric-controlled interface as a potential assessment tool and rehabilitation therapy for facial nerve paralysis
IRAS ID
106651
Contact name
Andrew Jackson
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals Foundation Trust
Research summary
Facial nerve palsy is a debilitating and disfiguring condition associated with hemi-facial weakness in the muscles of facial expression and eye closure. This can be associated with loss of function in terms of eating and drinking fluids, as well as damage to the surface of the eye as voluntary closure may not be possible. Following facial nerve damage patients may also experience synkinesis, the abnormal involuntary facial movement that occurs with voluntary movement of a different facial muscle group. Synkinesis can be distressing for patients and up to now treatments for the condition are limited.
The relationship of individual muscle activity for different functional movements is described in two principles. Firstly, low-level operations of the motor system in which actions are shaped from a small number of functional muscle groups or ‘synergies’ which are built in to neural architecture. The second principle implies flexible synergies arise from a high-level control centre to increase diversity of function. In reality, it is a combination of these two principles that altogether forms the library of different voluntary actions.
Earlier work at the Institute of Neurosciences has demonstrated that a myoelectric-controlled interface can be used to train more individual muscle activity within synergistic muscle pairs (Jackson et al 2012). This poses the question; can training improve independent muscle activity in muscle pairs affected by synkinesis?
Previous studies have demonstrated that exercising facial muscles immediately after the onset of facial nerve palsy can aid prevention of synkinesis development (Nakamura et al 2003). This study will be looking at whether training can promote individual muscle activity, bettering the symptoms of those with established synkinesis.
The aim of this study is to evaluate prospectively the effects of training using a myoelectric controlled interface in individuals with established facial muscle synkinesis following idiopathic Bell’s palsy.
REC name
North East - Tyne & Wear South Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
13/NE/0273
Date of REC Opinion
27 Sep 2013
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion