Importance of facial expression in facial nerve rehabilitation.
OBJECTIVE
This review discusses contemporary evidence for the importance of facial expression to human beings. Strategies for management of patients with facial nerve dysfunction are discussed.


RESULTS
The purpose of facial expression from a cognitive neuroscience perspective has become clearer, including its role in emotional communication and identification. Facial retraining may have a role in rehabilitation.


CONCLUSIONS
Greater awareness of the biologic basis for facial expression may lead us to pay increased attention to evaluation and treatment of this component of facial nerve dysfunction. The timing of intervention remains important, and many effective techniques exist.
Byrne
Patrick J
PJ
Division of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21287-1910, USA. Pbyrne2@jhmi.edu
D000328:Adult; D005149:Facial Expression; D005155:Facial Nerve Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000601:surgery*; D020220:Facial Nerve Injuries / Q000209:etiology; D005158:Facial Paralysis / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016518:Neurofibromatosis 2 / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery; D016896:Treatment Outcome