Teixeira L1, Siqueira F2, Costa J2, Florentino J2, Alonso J2, Lemos F2,3,4
1Balneário Camboriú Public Service, Balneário Camboriú, Brazil, 2FUNVIC, Pindamonhangaba, Brazil, 3INSPIRAR, Curitiba, Brazil, 4ABRAFIN, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Background: The impact of the limitation of the facial expression and dysfunction of facial muscles caused by facial nerve lesion can represent a major stigma for the individual. It could cause a limitation in activities and participation, and could represent severe disability to the patients. Sunnybrook Facial Grading System is a clinical way to measure objectively the physical function of rest, active facial muscle contraction and to register the presence of synkinesia. It can be the first step to assess the facial function on the first days of paralysis, to plan the physiotherapeutic program of recovery, to measure the recovery and to indicate the discharge.
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to develop and validate a Brazilian Portuguese language version of the Sunnybrook Facial Graduation System.
Methods: It was performed a translation of the grading system of the English to Portuguese by two translators independently. Both versions were verified by a third person to reconciliation between the versions. Afterward, the Portuguese version was translated to the original language again, and the versions were compared. The understanding and application of the Portuguese version was tested applying the Portuguese version in 23 patients with facial paralysis who sought the Physiotherapy Clinic of FAPI-FUNVIC. The data was evaluated by the statistical program Minitab (v. 30). The internal consistency evaluation was done through Cronbach´s alpha, with a value above 0.904 considered a good indicator.
Results: The translation process was considered satisfactory after the comparison between both English versions. The internal consistency evaluation using the Cronbach alpha statistical test resulted in a value of 0.9012, which was considered highly reliable for the evaluation of patients diagnosed with facial paralysis of various etiologies.
Conclusion(s): It was concluded that que Brazilian Portuguese version of the Sunnybrook Grading Facial System has internal consistency to assess the functional limitation of the people with facial paralysis, and could be suggested to be used in the Brazilian clinical and experimental context.
Implications: Sunnybrook Facial Graduation System is an effective evaluation tool for the patient with facial paralysis and can be used by inexperienced professionals. It is a clinical way to measure objectively the physical function of rest, active facial muscle contraction and to register the presence of synkinesia. Now, it is valid to use in Brazil and could be the first step to assess the facial function in people with facial paralysis, to plan the physiotherapeutic program, to measure the recovery, and to indicate discharge.
Keywords: facial paralysis, classification, validation studies
Funding acknowledgements: The work was unfunded.
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to develop and validate a Brazilian Portuguese language version of the Sunnybrook Facial Graduation System.
Methods: It was performed a translation of the grading system of the English to Portuguese by two translators independently. Both versions were verified by a third person to reconciliation between the versions. Afterward, the Portuguese version was translated to the original language again, and the versions were compared. The understanding and application of the Portuguese version was tested applying the Portuguese version in 23 patients with facial paralysis who sought the Physiotherapy Clinic of FAPI-FUNVIC. The data was evaluated by the statistical program Minitab (v. 30). The internal consistency evaluation was done through Cronbach´s alpha, with a value above 0.904 considered a good indicator.
Results: The translation process was considered satisfactory after the comparison between both English versions. The internal consistency evaluation using the Cronbach alpha statistical test resulted in a value of 0.9012, which was considered highly reliable for the evaluation of patients diagnosed with facial paralysis of various etiologies.
Conclusion(s): It was concluded that que Brazilian Portuguese version of the Sunnybrook Grading Facial System has internal consistency to assess the functional limitation of the people with facial paralysis, and could be suggested to be used in the Brazilian clinical and experimental context.
Implications: Sunnybrook Facial Graduation System is an effective evaluation tool for the patient with facial paralysis and can be used by inexperienced professionals. It is a clinical way to measure objectively the physical function of rest, active facial muscle contraction and to register the presence of synkinesia. Now, it is valid to use in Brazil and could be the first step to assess the facial function in people with facial paralysis, to plan the physiotherapeutic program, to measure the recovery, and to indicate discharge.
Keywords: facial paralysis, classification, validation studies
Funding acknowledgements: The work was unfunded.
Topic: Outcome measurement; Outcome measurement; Neurology
Ethics approval required: Yes
Institution: The National Ethics Committee
Ethics committee: Pindamonhangaba Faculty Ethics Committee
Ethics number: 2403872
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
