Association between subjective and objective measures of lip form and function: an exploratory analysis

Area of Science:

• Craniofacial Surgery
• Biomechanical Analysis
• Speech Pathology

Background:

• Assessing lip function in cleft lip and palate (CLP) patients is crucial for surgical outcomes and quality of life.
• Subjective evaluations of lip appearance and movement are common but can be inconsistent.
• Objective quantification of lip kinematics is needed to complement clinical judgment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop objective measures for various lip movement attributes in CLP patients.
• To investigate the relationship between subjective examiner assessments and objective lip movement data.
• To explore the utility of objective measures in understanding lip function after CLP repair.

Main Methods:

• Thirteen patients with repaired unilateral CLP underwent imaging (photographs, videotapes) at rest and during smiling.
• A motion analysis system was employed to capture lip movement data.
• Examiners rated cleft scar severity and impairment using a 6-point Likert scale.

Main Results:

• Lip displacement emerged as the most reliable objective measure.
• Objective analysis of the entire upper lip yielded the most comprehensive data.
• Decreased objective lip movement correlated with worse subjective perceptions of appearance and impairment, particularly at rest.

Conclusions:

• Objective lip movement measures offer a promising method for differentiating movement components.
• These objective data should supplement subjective evaluations of lip appearance and function.
• Subjective assessments are more reliable when performed with the patient's face at rest.