Synkinesis in facial palsy
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Synkinesis in Facial Palsy: Predicting Nerve Regeneration Outcomes and Mechanisms of Aberrant Nerve Regeneration
IRAS ID
276813
Contact name
Gareth Jones
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Guy's & St Thomas' Foundation NHS Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 11 months, 31 days
Research summary
Injury can affect sensory and motor peripheral nerves and although nerve regrowth after injury can occur, this spontaneous process is difficult to predict or control. A wide variety of clinical applications to assist nerve regrowth can be made therefore by better understanding the regrowth process. This study aims to understand spontaneous nerve regrowth after unilateral facial nerve palsy (for example Bell’s palsy) which affects how one side of the face moves. Sometimes, facial nerve regeneration is dysfunctional, or aberrant, leading to involuntary contractions of muscles during volitional facial movements usually not active during a movement, which is known as synkinesis. In the longer term, the aim is to improve the treatment of facial nerve palsy and promote successful regeneration by being able to predict how well nerve regeneration will occur, by understanding how aberrant nerve regeneration and synkinesis occurs.
We aim to test a group of patients with facial palsy and a group of healthy participants in two studies; one that includes facial palsy patients without synkinesis, and one that does. In both studies, participants will, after consenting, visit the biomechanics laboratory based at King’s College London, or clinic space at Guy’s & St Thomas’ Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, or if they prefer not to travel will be visited at their home address for a series of simple and non-invasive tests. After participants’ height, weight, and limb dominance measurements, facial movements (smiling and eye closure at different intensities i.e. between very gentle and vigorous) will be assessed using surface electromyography, and the architecture of the facial nerve will be assessed using ultrasound imaging. The test will last a maximum of 3 hours. Participants in study one will be required to attend a second visit approximately 15 weeks after the first. The same tests will be undertaken at each visit.
REC name
North West - Haydock Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
21/NW/0089
Date of REC Opinion
30 Mar 2021
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion