As Seen on Social Media: Mixed-Methods Analysis of Bell's Palsy Perspectives

Bell's palsy can cause functional and psychosocial impairment, traditionally evaluated via surveys such as the Facial Clinimetric Evaluation (FaCE) Scale. Social media is a newer way to share health experiences. This study aimed to characterize Bell's palsy experience as shared on social media.

Videos within criteria were selected from social media platforms. Transcripts were generated via Python. Directed content analysis used the FaCE Scale to derive themes.

All themes and subthemes in FaCE were also present on social media. An additional theme of "mood" was present only on social media (70% of videos) with subthemes of depression (53%), uncertainty (27%), fear (23%), and optimism (20%). Themes present in both FaCE and social media were "functional issues," "treatments," and "changes to daily life." However only social media had the following subthemes: "functional issues" subthemes of speech (27%), hyperacusis (17%), and dysgeusia (17%); "treatments" subthemes of steroids (40%), acupuncture (30%), facial exercises (30%), and supplements (23%); and "changes to daily life" subthemes of prioritizing rest (20%), covering face (13%), and impact on job (10%). Females were more likely to discuss depression (p = 0.042).

Patients with Bell's palsy share experiences on social media not captured by traditional patient questionnaires, revealing areas to optimize care for this population.