Turkish Validation of the Synkinesis Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ)

N/AEnrolling By InvitationNCT07750561

Barış CELBEK49 enrolled

Overview

Peripheral facial palsy may result in synkinesis, a condition characterized by involuntary facial muscle movements that occur during voluntary facial expressions. Synkinesis can negatively affect facial function, appearance, and quality of life. The Synkinesis Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ) is a patient-reported outcome measure developed to assess the severity and impact of synkinesis. However, a validated Turkish version is not currently available. The aim of this study is to translate and culturally adapt the SAQ into Turkish and to evaluate its validity and reliability in Turkish-speaking adults with peripheral facial palsy and synkinesis. The Turkish version will be developed using a standardized forward-backward translation process. Participants will complete the Turkish SAQ and the Facial Disability Index (FDI). Reliability, internal consistency, and construct validity will be evaluated to determine whether the Turkish SAQ is a valid and reliable instrument for clinical practice and research.

Study Type

OBSERVATIONAL

Enrollment

Conditions

Facial Paralysis Facial Palsy Bell Palsy

Interventions

Participants will complete the Turkish version of the Synkinesis Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ), developed through a standardized forward-backward translation and cross-cultural adaptation process. The questionnaire consists of nine patient-reported items assessing the frequency and severity of synkinetic facial movements during daily activities. Participants will also complete the Facial Disability Index (FDI) during the initial assessment. To evaluate test-retest reliability, the Turkish SAQ will be administered again one week after the baseline assessment.

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMax age: 18 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Adults aged 18 years or older. * Diagnosis of peripheral facial palsy. * At least 6 months since the onset of peripheral facial palsy. * Clinically confirmed facial synkinesis. * Ability to read, write, and speak Turkish. * Provision of written informed consent to participate in the study. Exclusion Criteria: * Presence of a secondary neurological disorder that may affect the facial muscles, such as Parkinson's disease or multiple sclerosis. * Cognitive impairment or severe psychiatric illness that may prevent understanding or completion of the questionnaires. * History of congenital facial palsy. * History of major facial surgery or trauma that may affect the assessment of synkinesis. * Planned botulinum toxin injection or surgical intervention during the test-retest assessment period.

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Turkish Synkinesis Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ) Total Score

The primary outcome is the psychometric evaluation of the Turkish version of the Synkinesis Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ), including internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and construct validity. The SAQ is a 9-item patient-reported outcome measure assessing the frequency and severity of synkinesis. Total scores are transformed to a 0-100 scale, with higher scores indicating more severe synkinesis.

Time frame: Baseline and 1 week

Secondary Outcomes

Facial Disability Index (FDI)

The Facial Disability Index (FDI) will be used to assess the construct validity of the Turkish version of the Synkinesis Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ). The FDI is a 10-item patient-reported outcome measure comprising two subscales: Physical Function and Social/Well-Being Function. Each subscale is transformed to a score ranging from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating better facial function and quality of life. Correlations between SAQ and FDI scores will be examined to evaluate construct validity.

Time frame: Baseline

Sunnybrook Facial Grading System (SFGS) Total Score

The Sunnybrook Facial Grading System (SFGS) will be used to evaluate facial nerve function and the severity of synkinesis. The instrument assesses resting symmetry, voluntary facial movement, and synkinesis to generate a composite score ranging from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating better facial function. The SFGS will be used to examine the construct validity of the Turkish version of the Synkinesis Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ).