Three-dimensional video-analysis of facial movements in healthy volunteers

The aim of this study was to determine the mean distances of facial movements in 24 healthy individuals aged between 22 and 70 years, using the digitised three-dimensional video-analysis system developed by Frey et al. The subjects were divided into three groups of eight. The first group consisted of individuals aged between 20 and 30 years (mean+/-s.d.=25.0+/-2.33 years). Subjects in the second group were aged between 40 and 50 years (mean+/-s.d.=46.8+/-2.53 years), and the third group consisted of subjects aged between 60 and 70 years (mean+/-s.d.=63.6+/-3.07 years). In all groups the sexes were equally represented. No subject had had treatment to the face, nor did they have paralysis, scars or diseases of the skin. Males showed larger movements of the face than females, on average by 1.40+/-0.73 mm (15.08%). Subjects aged between 60 and 70 years demonstrated the largest movements of the face. The evaluation of facial movements in 24 healthy volunteers showed that sex and age affect facial dynamics. Thus study generated three-dimensional standard values for healthy facial movements.