[Measurement of facial movements with photoshop software]

ABSTRACT

Although there are several methods to evaluate facial nerve palsy, most of them are not objective. In case of symmetric movements of face, photoshop software is useful for objective assessment of facial nerve injuries. In this descriptive-analytic study, the facial movements of sixty normal subjects [30 females and 30 males] were photographed. Displacement of facial movements in specific landmarks was measured by Photoshop software. The collected data then were analyzed by SPSS software. The mean displacement of forehead wrinkles and landmarks on cheeks in right and left sides was respectively 10.6 mm, 10.1 mm and 9.4 mm, 9.7 mm. The mean displacement of oral commissure in right and left sides during smile was 11.8 mm and 11.5 mm. The comparison showed no significant difference between both sides [P>0.05]. The mean distance between landmarks [lateral canthus, oral commissure and Cheek] and axis of face were compared too. The results showed that both sides were symmetric. Facial movements were measurable by Photoshop software and this method was applicable to assessment of facial nerve palsy and also synkinesis