Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 15, 2026
10:32
Development of a Virtual Reality Assessment of Everyday Living Skills
Published on: April 23, 2014
Validation of the Synkinesis Assessment Questionnaire
Ritvik P Mehta1, Mara WernickRobinson, Tessa A Hadlock
1Facial Nerve Center, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary/ Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, USA.
The Laryngoscope
|May 3, 2007
Summary
The Synkinesis Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ) reliably and validly measures facial synkinesis in patients. This new tool offers a patient-centered approach to assessing this condition.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Ophthalmology
- Plastic Surgery
Background:
- Facial synkinesis is an involuntary complication following facial nerve injury.
- Accurate assessment of facial synkinesis is crucial for treatment planning and outcome evaluation.
- Existing assessment tools may lack patient-centered perspectives or comprehensive validation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To validate the Synkinesis Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ), a novel patient-graded instrument for evaluating facial synkinesis.
- To establish the reliability, validity, and responsiveness of the SAQ.
Main Methods:
- Prospective clinical questionnaire validation study involving 65 patients with facial nerve disorders.
- Administration of the SAQ at baseline and follow-up, with and without botulinum toxin intervention.
- Comparison of SAQ scores between patients with facial synkinesis and healthy subjects.
Main Results:
- High test-retest reliability (Spearman's rho = 0.876) and strong internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.859) were observed for the SAQ.
- Significant improvement in SAQ scores post-botulinum toxin treatment indicated construct validity.
- Distinctly lower SAQ scores in healthy individuals compared to patients with facial synkinesis confirmed validity.
Conclusions:
- The Synkinesis Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ) is a reliable and valid patient-reported outcome measure for facial synkinesis.
- The SAQ is the first dedicated instrument for assessing facial synkinesis, offering a valuable tool for clinical practice.
- The validated SAQ provides a simple, patient-graded method to evaluate the impact of facial synkinesis.
Related Concept Videos
01:17Assessment of apical pulse
Assessing the Apical Pulse
Assessing the apical pulse is a critical nursing procedure, particularly indicated for:
Assessing the apical pulse is a critical nursing procedure, particularly indicated for:
01:29Nursing Assessment
The two sources for collecting information are primary and secondary. After gathering information, interpretation and validation help to complete the data. The purpose of assessment is to establish data with the initial information, to interpret data about the patient's perceived needs and health problems, and to respond to these problems identified.
The nurse collects all aspects of the patient's health in the initial assessment, establishing priorities for ongoing focused assessments and...
The nurse collects all aspects of the patient's health in the initial assessment, establishing priorities for ongoing focused assessments and...
01:25Assessment of apical radial pulse
Apical-Radial (A-R) Pulse Assessment
The A-R pulse assessment involves simultaneous evaluation of the apical and radial pulses. When the apical and radial pulse rates vary, this assessment helps identify a pulse deficit.
Pre-Procedural Preparation
The A-R pulse assessment involves simultaneous evaluation of the apical and radial pulses. When the apical and radial pulse rates vary, this assessment helps identify a pulse deficit.
Pre-Procedural Preparation
01:11Pulse Assessment Sites
Pulse assessment sites are crucial in evaluating a patient's cardiovascular health. By assessing the pulsations of arteries at specific anatomical locations, healthcare professionals can gather valuable information about blood flow, heart rate, and peripheral circulation. Understanding these pulse assessment sites is essential for conducting comprehensive cardiovascular evaluations and monitoring patients' overall health. These sites are strategically chosen due to the accessibility and...
01:30Assessment of Airway, Skin Color, and Use of Accessory Muscles
A thorough assessment of respiratory health is paramount in clinical settings to identify and manage respiratory distress and ensure adequate oxygenation. This article elaborates on the critical aspects of respiratory evaluation, including airway assessment, skin color examination, and the observation of accessory muscle use, which are integral to effectively diagnosing and managing patients with respiratory conditions.
Introduction
The initial evaluation of a patient's respiratory system...
Introduction
The initial evaluation of a patient's respiratory system...
01:27Assessment of the Cardiovascular System III: Palpation
Palpation involves feeling the body to evaluate texture, size, consistency, and tenderness for assessing cardiovascular health. The following steps are organized in a head-to-toe order:
Jugular Venous Pressure (JVP) Measurement
Position the patient at a thirty- to forty-five-degree angle or in a semi-fowler's position. Look for the highest point of pulsation in the internal jugular vein and measure the vertical distance to the angle of Loius or sternal angle. A normal JVP is 3-4 cm above the...
Jugular Venous Pressure (JVP) Measurement
Position the patient at a thirty- to forty-five-degree angle or in a semi-fowler's position. Look for the highest point of pulsation in the internal jugular vein and measure the vertical distance to the angle of Loius or sternal angle. A normal JVP is 3-4 cm above the...