Proposal of a psychosocial evaluation scale in peripheral facial paralysis

Abstract

Objective: To prepare a questionnaire that features the psychosocial aspects of subjects with peripheral facial paralysis (PFP). Methods: The elaboration of the Psychosocial Scale of Facial Appearance (PSFA) included literature review, collection of instruments that presented similar functions to the questionnaire, as well as critical analysis. The development of the issues sought to cover the diversity of the cases of PFP, the easy understanding of the respondent, both for its form and content. After the elaboration of the PSFA, 18 expert judges in the PFP actuation were selected to evaluate the questionnaire. An evaluation form was prepared and meetings were scheduled for the analysis of the PSFA. The data were descriptively analyzed and organized from convergent and divergent categories for subsequent final review. Results: The PSFA was effective when it allowed responding the research problem for which it was prepared, being essential the initial literature collection for theoretical background, knowledge, understanding and critical analysis of the existing instruments. The evaluation of the judges was essential for the improvement of the prepared instrument, simplification of the questions and improvements in future applications of the PSFA in a research group. Conclusion: This study showed preliminary data for the use of a new instrument for detecting psychosocial aspects in cases of PFP and such investigation is justified, since many subjects present significant impairments that may interfere in the clinical outcome.