OBJECTIVE MEASUREMENT OF NORMAL FACIAL MOVEMENT WITH VIDEO MICROSCALING

This study examines variability in facial movements in normal subjects using a new objective method of measuring facial movement, video micr oscaling. Video microscaling superimposes a computer-generated measuri ng scale over a video recorded image of facial movements. Distances mo ved are determined digitally. Eleven subjects were tested raising the eyebrows and smiling five times on two separate days. Test-retest, day -to-day, side-to-side, and intersubject variability were evaluated. Av erage variability was relatively low; however, some normal subjects ex hibited considerable variability, particularly from day-to-day and fro m side-to-side. Because of this, a facial nerve grading system based s olely on objective measurements of facial movements may be invalid. Vi deo microscaling is a promising research technique.