Journal article
The psychosocial impact of facial palsy: A systematic review
- Abstract:
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Purpose
Facial palsy is a condition which can lead to significant changes in facial function and appearance. People with facial palsy often report psychosocial difficulties, including withdrawal from social activities, anxiety, negative body image, and low mood. This paper aimed to review all published research investigating the psychosocial impact of facial palsy on adults.
Methods
A systematic search of MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE, PsycINFO, and AMED databases was performed. The quality of included studies was assessed, and data were extracted with regard to characteristics of participants; study methodology and design; outcome measures used; and psychosocial outcomes.
Results
Twenty‐seven studies met inclusion criteria. A high proportion of people with facial palsy reported clinically significant levels of anxiety and depression, with greater difficulties typically reported by females, compared to males. Other difficulties consistently reported include low quality of life, poor social function, and high levels of appearance‐related distress. Objective severity of facial palsy was consistently shown to not be associated with anxiety or depression, with psychological factors instead likely mediating the relationship between the severity of facial palsy and psychosocial well‐being.
Conclusions
Irrespective of objective symptom severity, facial palsy has the potential to have a significant impact on psychosocial well‐being and quality of life. The various methodological limitations of the included studies are discussed, along with clinical implications, including the need for greater access to psychological screening and interventions for people with facial palsy.
- Publication status:
- Published
- Peer review status:
- Peer reviewed
Actions
Access Document
- Files:
-
-
(Preview, Accepted manuscript, pdf, 225.2KB, Terms of use)
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- Publisher copy:
- 10.1111/bjhp.12440
Authors
- Publisher:
- British Psychological Society
- Journal:
- British Journal of Health Psychology More from this journal
- Volume:
- 25
- Issue:
- 3
- Pages:
- 695-727
- Place of publication:
- England
- Publication date:
- 2020-06-15
- Acceptance date:
- 2020-05-15
- DOI:
- EISSN:
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2044-8287
- ISSN:
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1359-107X
- Pmid:
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32538540
- Language:
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English
- Keywords:
- Pubs id:
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1112278
- Local pid:
-
pubs:1112278
- Deposit date:
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2020-08-18
- ARK identifier:
Terms of use
- Copyright holder:
- British Psychological Society
- Copyright date:
- 2020
- Rights statement:
- © 2020 The British Psychological Society
- Notes:
- This is the accepted manuscript version of the article. The final version is available online from the British Psychological Society at https://doi.org/10.1111/bjhp.12440
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