HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Submit a response Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when Rapid Responses are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by VanSwearingen, J. M Articles by Brach, J. S Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by VanSwearingen, J. M Articles by Brach, J. S Related Collections Injuries and Conditions: Head and Jaw Neurology/Neuromuscular System: Other Classification Social Bookmarking                      What's this?

Validation of a Treatment-Based Classification System for Individuals With Facial Neuromotor Disorders

JM VanSwearingen, PhD, PT, is Assistant Professor of Physical Therapy, Department of Physical Therapy, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, 6035 Forbes Tower, Pittsburgh, PA 15260 (USA) (jessievs+@pitt.edu), and Director of Rehabilitation, Facial Nerve Center, CORE Network, Limited Liability Corporation, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.
JS Brach, PT, is Clinical Assistant Professor of Physical Therapy, Department of Physical Therapy, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, and Physical Therapist, CORE Network, Limited Liability Corporation, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.

Background and Purpose. A method for linking treatments to signs and symptoms of facial neuromotor disorders is needed. We describe the construct validation of a treatment-based classification system for facial neuromotor disorders. Subjects and Methods. Based on physical signs and symptoms, 148 patients (mean age=48.9 years, SD=16.1, range=20–93) were assigned to treatment-based categories. The pattern of impairment and disability was compared with clinical expectations. Results. The distribution of impairment and disability scores demonstrated the expected signs and symptoms of the treatment-based categories. Confirmatory principal-components factor analysis indicated 4 factors, corresponding to the treatment-based categories; the factor loadings confirmed the presence of the key sign or symptom characteristic of the categories. Conclusion and Discussion. Classifying facial neuromotor disorders into treatment-based categories appears to be a valid method for categorizing patients with specific impairments or disabilities and may be useful in linking treatments to outcomes.

Key Words: Classification • Facial paralysis • Rehabilitation

CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    What's this?

This article has been cited by other articles:

				C. Leiper Invited commentary. Physical Therapy, May 1, 2007; 87(5): 555 - 558. [Full Text] [PDF]

				N. Manikandan Effect of facial neuromuscular re-education on facial symmetry in patients with Bell's palsy: a randomized controlled trial Clinical Rehabilitation, April 1, 2007; 21(4): 338 - 343. [Abstract] [PDF]

				J. S Brach and J. M VanSwearingen Physical Therapy for Facial Paralysis: A Tailored Treatment Approach Physical Therapy, April 1, 1999; 79(4): 397 - 404. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]