Validation of the Turkish Translation of the Facial Clinimetric Evaluation Scale in Patients with Peripheral Facial Paralysis

Abstract

Objective: To transcribe and validate the Facial Clinimetric Evaluation (FaCE) scale to be able to use it in a Turkish-speaking patient population with peripheral facial paralysis (PFP). Material and Methods: The original English FaCE scale was translated according to international guidelines. Then a validation study was conducted on 37 patients with facial paralysis. The patients completed the scale twice at a 1-week interval. Internal consistency was evaluated with the Cronbach alpha coefficient. The correlations between the FaCE scale and the House-Brackmann Grading System (HBGS), the Sunnybrook Grading System (SBGS), and the Facial Disability Index (FDI) scores and structure validity were evaluated by calculating the Spearman rho correlation coefficient. Results: The FaCE scale showed internal consistency with an excellent Cronbach α value of 0.828. Test-retest reliability was shown with an Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) in the range of 0.51-0.95. The FaCE scale was determined to be well correlated with the HBGS and SBGS points (r=-0.51, r=0.65, respectively). The FaCE scale face movement score showed the highest correlation with HBGS (r=-0.61). SBGS had the highest correlation with the oral function score (r=0.61). The study determined there to be a good correlation between the FaCE scale and the social/well-being function and physical function of the FDI (r=0.69, r=0.66, respectively). Conclusion: The FaCE scale is a reliable and valid tool for assessing the quality of life of PFP patients. The Turkish version of the FaCE Scale showed good psychometric properties. By showing high validity and reliability, the Turkish FaCE scale can be used in Turkish-speaking patients with peripheral facial paralysis.