Research/ News.

Current Research Projects and
​Foundation News
​The Foundation for Facial Recovery is currently engaged in key research to help in the treatment of Facial Palsy and TMJD.
Below is an overview of our current research projects, as well as news about the Foundation.

The Foundation for Facial Recovery Debuts New Book

The Foundation for Facial Recovery releases Fix My Face: Expert Advice for Maximizing Recovery from Bell's Palsy, Ramsay Hunt Syndrome, and other Causes of Facial Nerve Paralysis. This comprehensive, easy-to-follow resource is a must-read for anyone with recent-onset or persistent facial paralysis due to injury of the seventh cranial nerve. Written by a multidisciplinary team of facial nerve specialists with The Foundation for Facial Recovery, Fix My Face offers hope to patients struggling with facial palsy’s many complications and uncertain outcomes by presenting a roadmap for pursuing the best possible recovery. Readers will gain: • a plan for managing symptoms • exercises to minimize synkinesis and improve circulation, function, and symmetry • an exploration of facial plastic surgery, including Botox® and facial reanimation procedures Healthcare providers on the front lines of diagnosing patients will find Fix My Face thought-provoking and helpful. Calling on research-based evidence and their own clinical results with hundreds of patients, the authors make the case for rethinking how facial palsy is treated, including: • A new approach to medications • Early intervention rather than “wait and see” • Coordinated treatment by physicians, facial plastic and oculoplastic surgeons, physical therapists, and other providers working together on behalf of the patient.
The book is available for purchase on the website under the "Buy Our Book" tab.

Marriott Foundation Awards Groundbreaking Grant to Foundation for Facial Recovery

The Foundation for Facial Recovery, Georgetown University Hospital-Department of ENT, ROSM-Regenerative medicine practice along with Dr. Gerd Fabian Volk-ENT from the University of Jena, (Jena, Germany) held their first international meeting to launch a joint research project evaluating the process of synkineedling, IBBS and other interventions to address Synkinesis in facial palsy patients.

The TMJ-Bell's Palsy Connection

We will conduct a retrospective study to determine if there is a relationship between Temporomandibular Joint Disorder and slow-to-recover Bell’s Palsy among pregnant and postpartum patients. Contact Saarah Bokhari at [email protected] for more information.

Ultrasound Guided Needle Therapy for Treatment of Synkinesis

Studies have shown that muscle-pump paralysis also reduces venous tone and therefore may raise the hydrostatic pressure within tissue. This can lead to fibrosis of the subcutis and trophic skin changes. Ultrasound guided needle treatment is being studied in its effectiveness to treat fibrosis and synkinesis. Contact Saarah Bokhari at [email protected] for more information.

The Impact of Eyelid Weight Implantation on Time to Recovery and Quality of Recovery, After Acute Idiopathic Facial Palsy

Many patients list the difficulty of closing the eye after the diagnosis of facial palsy as one of their chief complaints. The use of eyelid weights to assist with this closure is a widely acceptable treatment. However, determining when this procedure should be performed to optimize recovery has not been established. Dr. Michael Reilly of Georgetown University is the lead investigator.  Contact Johanna Wickemeyer at [email protected] for more information.

The Effect of Facial Palsy on Perceived Attractiveness and Personality

Studies have found facial features to influence the perception of one’s personality. Changes to facial structure have the potential to alter these perceptions, both favorably and unfavorably. Minimal research exists regarding the effects of facial palsy on personality perceptions. The objective of this study is to evaluate and quantify the changes in personality perception that occur with facial nerve paralysis. Personality perception will be captured using the following traits: attractiveness, aggressiveness, extroversion, likeability, trustworthiness, risk seeking, social skills, and naturalness. Quantifying the change in perception of facial nerve paralysis patients to those around them will expose another aspect of this condition that may warrant psychosocial treatment. Contact Johanna Wickemeyer at [email protected] for more information.

Standardization Instruction Video to Record Different Facial Expressions

Presently, medical professionals have no standardized method for recording facial expressions. Establishing standardizations will allow treatment regimens to be evaluated by multi-center providers. This study will be conducted in partnership with Dr. Fabian Volk of the University of Jena in Germany. Contact Rebecca Schaede at [email protected] or Saarah Bokhari at [email protected] for more information.

Evaluation of a New Assessment Tool for Patients with Slow Recovering Facial Palsy

We are currently assessing various evaluation tools to determine the best method to track patients’ recovery. We aim to introduce a tool which addresses the multitude of symptoms associated with facial palsy and plan to standardize the evaluation method of facial palsy. 
We are currently conducting a survey to determine which of the current questionnaires best address the symptoms and issues related to facial paralysis.  Please feel free to take this brief survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/8CK7GRZ