The research for the function evaluation of facial nerve and the mechanisms of rehabilitation training

Abstract

Background: Peripheral facial paralysis (PFP) is a common peripheral neural disease. Acupuncture treatment combined with PFP rehabilitation exercises is a routine method of PFP treatment. This article is to provide a new visual and objective evaluation method for exploring the mechanism and efficacy of acupuncture treatment on PFP, and develop an interactive augmented facial nerve function rehabilitation training system with multiple training models. Methods: This prospective and observational trial will recruit 200 eligible participants for the following study. In the trial, the laser speckle contrast analysis (LASCA) technology will be applied to monitor the microcirculation of facial blood flow during acupuncture, and real-time monitoring algorithms, data sampling, and digital imaging methods will be conducted by machine learning and image segmentation. Then, a database of patient facial expressions will be built, the correlation between surface blood flow perfusion volume and facial structure symmetry will be analyzed, combined with scale assessment and electrophysiological detection. In addition, we will also explore the objectivity and effectiveness of LASCA in the evaluation of facial paralysis (FP), and the changes in blood flow microcirculation before and after acupuncture treatment will be analyzed. Results: The standard image of the facial target area with facial nerve injury will be manually segmented by the convolutional neural network method. The blood flow images of the eyelid, cheek, and mandible of the patients’ affected and healthy side will be compared and evaluated. Laser speckle blood flow symmetry Pr and its changes in FP condition evolution and prognosis outcome will be measured, and relevant characteristic signals values will be extracted. Finally, COX regression analysis method is conducted to establish a higher accuracy prediction model of FP with cross-validation based on laser speckle blood flow imaging technology. Conclusions: We use modern interdisciplinary high-tech technologies to explore the mechanism of acupuncture rehabilitation training in PFP. And we will provide evidence for the feasibility of using the LASCA technique as a typing diagnosis of FP in the acupuncture rehabilitation treatment of PFP. Registration number: ChiCTR1800019463

Effect Measurement for Human Motion Rehabilitation Training Using Improved Deep Reinforcement Learning and IoT Networks

“…In order to verify the effectiveness of the effect measurement algorithm of human motion rehabilitation training based on improved deep reinforcement learning, take the algorithm in the literature [3], the algorithm in the literature [4], the algorithm in the literature [5], the algorithm in the literature [6], and the algorithm in the literature [7] as the comparison algorithm and carry out the following tests.…”

“…Aiming at the important application of measuring the effect of human motion rehabilitation training, literature [3] used machine learning and image segmentation to carry out real-time monitoring algorithm, data sampling and digital imaging methods to obtain sample images, establish the database about patients' facial expression, and segment the image using machine learning algorithm. On the basis of image segmentation, the detailed information of rehabilitation training was obtained, the rehabilitation training database was established, and the training effect was measured by LASCA technology.…”

Facial Paralysis Detection in Infrared Thermal Images Using Asymmetry Analysis of Temperature and Texture Features

“…The reliability of the HB score depends on the physician’s subjective experience and the patient’s cooperation [ 10 ]. When the initial symptoms of facial paralysis are not obvious, the reliability of the HB score is low [ 11 ]. Electromyography (EMG) can objectively diagnose facial paralysis by checking the conduction velocity of the facial nerve to determine the degree of facial nerve damage [ 2 ].…”

“…It is mainly used for the prognosis of facial paralysis and is not suitable for its early diagnosis. In addition, blink reflex is currently one of the most sensitive electrophysiological indicators for early diagnosis of facial paralysis [ 11 ]. However, it requires a series of stimuli to induce the defensive reflex of the subject; electrode pads are attached to specific areas of the face causing pain and discomfort to the subject, which results in poor coordination on the part of the subject.…”

“…Facial paralysis is associated with local vasospasm and tissue edema caused by dysfunction, ischemia, or inflammation of the facial nerve and surrounding tissues [ 11 ]. Therefore, the onset of facial paralysis will affect the local blood circulation of the patient’s face and change the normal temperature distribution [ 12 ].…”