• Kathryn E Merkel, Karen L Schmidt, Rachel M Levenstein, Jessie M VanSwearingen, and Barbara C Bentley.
• Department of Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA.
• Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2007 Jul 1;137(1):100-4.

ObjectivesPositive affect in individuals with a facial movement disorder may promote lip corner movement (zygomaticus major) during smiling. We investigated whether a positive affect marker (orbicularis oculi activity) observed in an initial clinic visit of individuals with facial movement disorder (N = 28) predicted increased lip corner movement at a subsequent visit.Study Design And SettingIn this clinical outcomes study, lip corner movement was assessed with the use of automated facial analysis. Asymmetry of movement was compared in individuals who smiled with or without the positive affect marker at an initial clinic visit.ResultsThe positive affect marker at the initial visit was associated with a reduction in the asymmetry of the lip corner movement at the second visit.ConclusionPositive affect predicts improved facial movement outcomes in patients with facial movement disorders.SignificancePositive emotion in facial movement patients may be an important factor in recovery of facial movement during therapy.

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