Measuring how people look at faces with facial palsy using eye-tracking

Eye-Tracking FP "A Pilot Study of the Quantitative Evaluation of the Attention Paid to Faces With Facial Palsy by the Eye-tracking Technology.

This pilot tests whether eye-tracking can show how much attention people give to faces with peripheral facial palsy by recording gaze from patients and healthy volunteers watching video sequences.

Quick facts

• Phase: NA
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 60 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years and up
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Centre Hospitalier Universitaire, Amiens (other)
• Locations: 1 site (Amiens)
• Trial ID: NCT04886245 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

Researchers will use eye-tracking while participants view video sequences to quantify where and how long observers and patients look at the affected side of faces with peripheral facial palsy. The study enrolls adults with peripheral facial palsy of any grade as well as healthy volunteers without major facial sequelae. Unlike earlier work that used static photos, this protocol uses dynamic video stimuli and captures both outside observers' gaze and the patient's own gaze. Data will be compared between groups to describe attention patterns related to facial asymmetry.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adults (≥18) with peripheral facial palsy of any grade who can give written informed consent, are affiliated with social security, and can sit before a computer screen, as well as healthy adult volunteers without major facial sequelae, are ideal candidates.

Not a fit: Patients with very recent facial palsy expected to make a full recovery, minors, people unable to consent or follow instructions, or those under guardianship are unlikely to benefit from this protocol.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the method could help clinicians understand how facial palsy affects social perception and guide communication, rehabilitation, and counseling to improve patient acceptance and quality of life.

How similar studies have performed: Previous eye-tracking studies have shown altered gaze patterns using static photographs, but applying dynamic video stimuli and including patients' own gaze is a novel approach that has not been widely tested.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

* for patient with facial paralysis:
* Patient with peripheral facial palsy, irrespective of grade, whether or not previously treated
* Patient providing written informed consent
* Patient aged ≥ 18 years
* Patient affiliated to a social security system
* for Healthy voluntary subject :
* Subject without major facial sequelae
* Subject who provided written informed consent
* Major subject ≥ 18 years old
* Subject affiliated to a social security system

Exclusion Criteria:

* for Patient with facial paralysis:
* Patient with recent peripheral facial palsy whose total recovery is possible
* Patient unable to provide written informed consent
* Patient with difficulties to follow instructions and especially to stand in front of a computer screen
* Minor patient \<18 years
* Patient under guardianship or curators or judicial safeguard
* for Healthy voluntary subject :
* Subject with major facial sequelae
* Subject not able to provide written informed consent
* Subject presenting difficulties in following instructions and in particular in standing still in front of a computer screen
* Minor subject \< 18 years old
* Subject under guardianship or curators or judicial safeguard

Where this trial is running

Amiens

• CHU Amiens — Amiens, France (RECRUITING)

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Stéphanie DAKPE, PR

Conditions: Eye-tracking, Facial Palsy, facial mimics, eye-tracking