Assessment of the reproducibility of facial expressions with 3-D stereophotogrammetry.

Sawyer AR, See M, Nduka C. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2009 Jan;140(1):76-81.

Abstract

Objective

There is little research into analyzing whether facial expression changes are secondary to actual treatment or normal day-to-day variation. This study aims to ascertain whether nine- facial expressions were reproducible.

Subjects and methods

Thirty-nine white subjects performed nine-facial expressions, captured by three- dimensional stereophotogrammetry in three sessions. After initial capture (session 1), each expression was repeated after 15 minutes (session 2) and then 4 weeks (session 3) after the initial session. Statistical analysis was performed on the mean variability of facial landmarks between session 1 and 2 and session 1 and 3.

Results

Repose was the most reproducible expression. The least reproducible was “blow-out-the- cheeks.” Analysis between session 1 and 2 showed no significant differences in expression reproducibility. Analysis between session 1 and 3 showed significant differences for the “smile-with-lips-open” and “blow-out-the-cheeks” expressions.

Conclusion

Facial expressions are reproducible in a 15-minute period. There are significant differences in the ability to reproduce facial expressions 4 weeks apart for “smile-with-lips- open” and “blow-out-the-cheeks.”