Participation Opportunities

External research studies

The following are external studies (not related to Facial Palsy UK) with participation opportunities:

The Impact of Facial Palsy on Mental Health, Well-being, and Quality of Life

Do you have or have you had facial palsy?

We are a team of researchers from Queen’s University Belfast carrying out research on how living with facial palsy may have an impact on mental health, well-being, and quality of life.

We are looking for people over the age of 18 years to take part in our online anonymous survey.

The results of the survey will be used as part of a thesis dissertation to help us to understand more about this important issue and provide a voice to those affected by facial palsy.

Click here to start the survey

Do you want to share your experience of having facial palsy?

Who?

We are looking for people to participate in a research study at St Georges University, London. The study is investigating the experiences of people with mouth and lip difficulties as a result of an acquired facial weakness in the past 5 years, and how this has affected participation in daily activities.

Why participate?

 There is currently no literature exploring this phenomenon. The data will be used to improve practice and inform the development of assessment tools to measure these challenges more precisely.

What will participants do?

  • Share your experiences, challenges and positives in a safe space
  • Engage in an online focus group (4-6 members). Telephone is available if required.
  • Volunteer 60-90 minutes of your time

Interested?

For more information, or if you would like to participate, you can contact the research team by emailing Rebecca Kimber at m2007772@sgul.ac.uk  or texting or calling 07309 852 973.
If you are unable to use email or telephone or would prefer to, please scan the QR code.

Information about this study can be provided in languages other than English as required.

QR Code

Emotion processing in facial palsy

What is the study about?

We want to learn about how facial paralysis affects emotion processing from facial and non-facial information (e.g., emotional faces or emotional scenarios). We have tested many people without facial paralysis using this online study, and now we want to investigate how people with facial paralysis may perform the task differently and why.

What would I do as a study participant?

  • Complete an online study lasting about one hour
  • Enter to win one of sixteen Amazon gift cards (£15 each)

Who is eligible to participate?

  • Currently have facial palsy and is 18 years old or over
  • Facial paralysis is NOT caused by brain injury or stroke

What will we do with the study findings?

The goal of this project is to improve our understanding of how facial paralysis may affect emotion processing, which is crucial for effective social interaction and communication. The findings will help improve social communication between people with and without facial palsy and help develop new ways to improve the emotional wellbeing of people living with facial palsy.

Who are the research investigators?

Miss Emily Mason, Dr Stephanie Rossit and Dr Mintao Zhao at University of East Anglia. Emily is a PhD student studying the influence of facial paralysis on face perception. Stephanie is an Associate Professor in neuropsychology, and Mintao is a Lecturer in Psychology.

To learn more or to participate

Please contact Miss Emily Mason at Emily.j.mason@uea.ac.uk

Please CLICK HERE  or scan the QR code to participate!

QR code

Centre for Appearance Research

Study on the impact of facial visual differences in candidate experience within the recruitment process – University of the West of England

The Research has been approved by Faculty Research Ethics Committee

We are looking for participants to take part in a 45 minutes -1 hour interview via Microsoft Teams to share their experiences during recruitment elements such as in-person interviews, online application forms etc. and how these processes may have affected individuals thoughts and feelings.

Eligibility Criteria

  • Aged 18 years +
  • Have a facial visual difference such as scarring, burns etc.
  • Have experience applying for employment within the last year.

For more information and to take part, please follow the link or the QR code below:

https://uwe.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cBC0JycYljN9Fci

QR code for UWE research study

Research Evaluation of ‘The Parenting Toolkit’

Researchers at the Centre for Appearance Research have created a support resource for parents of children with appearance-affecting conditions such as, Facial Palsy. The Parenting Toolkit’ is support resource based on research and aims to support parents to manage challenges related to supporting their child.

The Centre for Appearance research are looking for parents and carers of children with Facial Palsy who would like to receive a copy of the support resource ‘The Parenting Toolkit’ and take part in a series of surveys about their experiences using it. Parents and carers who complete the surveys will receive a shopping voucher as a thank you for their time. To find out more get in touch with Maia at maia.thornton@uwe.ac.uk or click the link: https://go.uwe.ac.uk/TheParentingToolkit

Future opportunities via the Centre for Appearance Research

If you’re interested in being kept up-to-date with opportunities to take part in research run by the Centre for Appearance Research (CAR), you can sign up to their Participant Pool. Anyone aged 16 or above can sign up, whether or not you have a condition that affects your appearance.

Sign up to CAR’s Participant Pool

Research Opportunities with Facial Palsy UK

Are you a person with facial palsy or a carer of someone with the condition?
Would you like to have a voice regarding future research in the area of facial palsy?
Join our community to ensure you receive invitations to relevant projects when they arise.
Your input could be as little as giving an email “sound bite” about your condition or as large as participation in facial palsy trials. By volunteering you would in no way be tying yourself into future projects, simply indicating a willingness to be contacted regarding facial palsy research.

Last reviewed: 29-02-2024    ||    Next review due: 30-09-2024