Mental Health Outcomes and Psychosocial Impacts of Facial Burns: A Scoping Review

Burn injuries have been proven to carry long-term psychological and social consequences.

To identify the mental and psychosocial impacts of facial burns on patients' quality-of-life outcomes.

The methods were developed in agreement with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis extensions for Scoping Review guidelines. A literature search utilizing the PubMed and Scopus databases was performed. Peer-reviewed, English-language studies examining psychological, social, or quality-of-life outcomes associated with facial burns were included.

Anxiety and depression were significantly worse in facial burn patients [Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) score: 2.5 ± 2.8, P < .002, HADS Score: 2.1 ± 2.7, P < .001, respectively]. Body image dissatisfaction was significantly higher in adolescent facial burn patients compared to those without facial burns, 1 year after the injury (P < .001). After undergoing augmented reality coupled rehabilitation, quality of life scores were improved compared to baseline (P < .001).

This scoping review highlights the negative impacts of facial burns on mental health and psychosocial outcomes. Additional research is needed to further substantiate interventions, such as cognitive behavioral strategies and virtual reality-based rehabilitation, in the long-term management of individuals with facial burns.