Functional decline in facial expression generation in older women: A cross-sectional study using three-dimensional morphometry

Association between the three-dimensional facial shape and its color in a boundary group of young to middle-aged Asian women

Visual cues strongly influence an individual's self-esteem and have fundamental sociopsychological functions. The color and shape of the face are important information for visual cues and are hypothesized to be correlated with each other. However, few studies have examined these relationships. Thus, this study determined the association between color and shape of the face. For this purpose, we evaluated Chinese women in their 30s and 40s (n = 166). Three-dimensional (3D) image-capture devices that provide shape morphology along with standardized photographs (color information) were used to obtain 3D images of women. The coordinates and red‒green-blue color data on the 3D images were utilized to perform principal component (PC) analysis, and shape and color PCs were generated. A canonical variate analysis was then conducted to check for significant correlations between the shape and color PCs. As a result, 6 significant correlations were found (p < 0.05). In detail, in addition to the physical correlations (i.e., steric faces or faces with protrusion of the cheek showed greater shadows, retrognathism was related to a shadow under the lower lip and vice versa), biological correlations (fatty faces showed greater redness and remarkable marionette lines; faces with age-related sagging showed greater darkness, possibly related to cumulative ultraviolet radiation exposure of the skin; and robust mandibles and supraorbital ridges were related to thick eyebrows) were found. This insight can aid both medical and cosmetic practitioners in comprehending the intricate details conveyed by facial features, thereby facilitating more comprehensive diagnosis and treatment planning, including makeup.

Three-dimensional analysis of posed smile in adults: A scoping review

This scoping review investigated the evidence on the three-dimensional analysis of a posed smile in adults to discover any research gaps in this research area. Electronic searches of articles written in English were performed using the four databases of Embase, PubMed, Springer, and Web of Science with publications from 2010 to 2023. Reference lists were also manually searched to identify additional studies. The results showed that 13 cross-sectional descriptive studies from Asia, Europe, North and South America met our inclusion criteria. Studies mainly focused on linear and angle measurement for resting and smiling faces and landmark movement from resting to smiling. Most studies conducted analysis of smiles stratified by sex, ethnicity, smile type, dental occlusion, skeletal pattern, and age. Two studies compared smiling with the resting position and one study compared the attractive smiling group with the ordinary group. Our scoping review revealed the insufficiency of some measurement methods, such as those employing area, volume, and soft tissue thickness. Furthermore, few studies were conducted in Asian populations, and comparisons of various smile types, overjet types, horizontal skeletal patterns, and comparisons of smiles between people with untreated normal occlusion and those who had been orthodontically treated were lacking.

Can peripheral biomarkers reflect the psychological condition in geriatric populations? The influence of cardiovascular comorbidities

BACKGROUND

Although previous studies indicated the association between peripheral biomarkers and psychological conditions, a higher prevalence of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) among geriatric populations may hinder the applicability of the biomarkers. The objective of this study was to assess the adequacy of the application of biomarkers to evaluate psychological conditions among geriatric populations.

METHOD

We collected information on the demographics and history of CVD in all participants. All participants completed the Brief Symptom Rating Scale (BSRS-5) and the Chinese Happiness Inventory (CHI), which are the measurement of negative and positive psychological conditions, respectively. Four indicators of the peripheral biomarkers, including the standard deviation of normal to normal RR intervals (SDNN), finger temperature, skin conductance, and electromyogram were collected for each participant during a 5-min resting state. Multiple linear regression models were conducted to evaluate the association between the biomarkers and the psychological measurements (BSRS-5, CHI) with and without the inclusion of the participants with CVD.

RESULTS

A total of 233 participants without CVD (non-CVD group) and 283 participants with CVD (CVD group) were included. The CVD group was older and with higher body mass index compared to the non-CVD group. In the multiple linear regression model with all participants, only BSRS-5 scores had a positive association with electromyogram. After the exclusion of the CVD group, the association between the BSRS-5 scores and electromyogram was more relevant, while CHI scores became positively associated with SDNN.

CONCLUSIONS

A single measurement of the peripheral biomarker may be insufficient to depict psychological conditions among geriatric populations.

Long-Term Exercise Assistance: Group and One-on-One Interactions between a Social Robot and Seniors

For older adults, regular exercises can provide both physical and mental benefits, increase their independence, and reduce the risks of diseases associated with aging. However, only a small portion of older adults regularly engage in physical activity. Therefore, it is important to promote exercise among older adults to help maintain overall health. In this paper, we present the first exploratory long-term human–robot interaction (HRI) study conducted at a local long-term care facility to investigate the benefits of one-on-one and group exercise interactions with an autonomous socially assistive robot and older adults. To provide targeted facilitation, our robot utilizes a unique emotion model that can adapt its assistive behaviors to users’ affect and track their progress towards exercise goals through repeated sessions using the Goal Attainment Scale (GAS), while also monitoring heart rate to prevent overexertion. Results of the study show that users had positive valence and high engagement towards the robot and were able to maintain their exercise performance throughout the study. Questionnaire results showed high robot acceptance for both types of interactions. However, users in the one-on-one sessions perceived the robot as more sociable and intelligent, and had more positive perception of the robot’s appearance and movements.

Hemodynamic Changes in the Masseter and Superior Orbicularis Oris Muscles before and after Exercise Load: A Comparison between Young Adult Women and Middle-Aged to Old Adult Women

Background

The vascularity index (VI) is useful for measuring the hemodynamics on ultrasound imaging. However, there are no reports concerning the application of the VI to facial muscles.

Objective

The aim of this study was (1) to establish a method of measuring the hemodynamics in facial muscles in a constant way and (2) to evaluate the hemodynamic changes in the masseter and superior orbicularis oris muscles (SOOMs) before and after exercise load in two subject groups of females of different ages.

Methods

(1) The VI in the SOOM was calculated, and the test-retest reliability was assessed in seven healthy adults. (2) The VIs in the left-side masseter and SOOM were calculated in 3 sessions: before exercise loading (T0), immediately after loading (T1), and 5 minutes after T1 (T2) for the young adult group (YAG, n = 20; age range, 20–35 years) and the middle-aged to old group (MOG, n = 20; age range, 50–70 years). Tasks were gum chewing for the masseter muscle and lip sealing for the SOOM. The differences in the mean peak flows between two sessions were examined.

Results

(1) Significant differences were not noted for the repeatedly measured average volumes of blood flow with good test-retest agreement (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.81). (2) In both muscles of the YAG, there were a significant increase in T1 compared with T0 and a significant decrease in T2 compared with T1 (all p < 0.05). In both muscles of the MOG, no significant differences were noted in either comparison.

Conclusions

A method of measuring the hemodynamics in facial muscles was developed and showed good reliability. Changes in the blood flow after exercise load in these muscles may vary with age in women.

Landmark movement trajectory: A simple reference to understand the dominant muscle contraction in a dynamic smile expression

Insight into the roles of perioral muscles play in smiling is essential to the relevant esthetic and reconstructive treatment. This study analyzed specific landmarks' movement trajectories to understand the dominant muscle activity in smiling. Sixty volunteers (aged 18-45 years) were included, and standardized frontal view images were obtained by three-dimensional photogrammetry. Each image sequence frame was referenced and superimposed onto the neutral image. Six surface landmarks were digitized on each frame to form the entire movement trajectories from resting to maximal smile. The perioral muscles were divided into different groups according to the inserting position of muscular fibers and the contracting direction. The movement paths of landmarks were analyzed to find the major muscle groups involved. The dominant muscle groups throughout smiling were successfully identified by landmark trajectory analysis in all 60 volunteers. Zygomaticus major was the dominant force for the beginning of most smiles. Apart from the zygomaticus major, other perioral muscles played a dominant role throughout smile expression, including levator anguli oris, buccinator and risorius, depressor anguli oris, and the upward muscle group of the upper lip were all identified. Besides, a notable high percentage of smiles presented a mixed pattern, indicating the cooperation of several muscle groups during smiling. Landmark movement trajectory provides a simple reference to understand the dominant perioral muscles in smiling. It can help surgeons get more information for the dynamic treatment of smiles.

Development of novel artificial intelligence systems to predict facial morphology after orthognathic surgery and orthodontic treatment in Japanese patients

From a socio-psychological standpoint, improving the morphology of the facial soft-tissues is regarded as an important therapeutic goal in modern orthodontic treatment. Currently, many of the algorithms used in commercially available software programs that are said to provide the function of performing profile prediction are based on the false assumption that the amount of movement of hard-tissue and soft-tissue has a proportional relationship. The specification of the proportionality constant value depends on the operator, and there is little evidence to support the validity of the prediction result. Thus, the present study attempted to develop artificial intelligence (AI) systems that predict the three-dimensional (3-D) facial morphology after orthognathic surgery and orthodontic treatment based on the results of previous treatment. This was a retrospective study in a secondary adult care setting. A total of 137 patients who underwent orthognathic surgery (n = 72) and orthodontic treatment with four premolar extraction (n = 65) were enrolled. Lateral cephalograms and 3-D facial images were obtained before and after treatment. We have developed two AI systems to predict facial morphology after orthognathic surgery (System S) and orthodontic treatment (System E) using landmark-based geometric morphometric methods together with deep learning methods; where cephalometric changes during treatment and the coordinate values of the faces before treatment were employed as predictive variables. Eleven-fold cross-validation showed that the average system errors were 0.94 mm and 0.69 mm for systems S and E, respectively. The total success rates, when success was defined by a system error of < 1 mm, were 54% and 98% for systems S and E, respectively. The total success rates when success was defined by a system error of < 2 mm were both 100%. AI systems to predict facial morphology after treatment were therefore confirmed to be clinically acceptable.

Impairment in facial expression generation in patients with repaired unilateral cleft lip: Effects of the physical properties of facial soft tissues

Patients with repaired unilateral cleft lip with palate (UCLP) often show dysmorphology and distorted facial motion clinically, which can cause psychological issues. However, no report has clarified the details concerning distorted facial motion and the corresponding possible causative factors. In this study, we hypothesized that the physical properties of the scar and surrounding facial soft tissue might affect facial displacement while smiling in patients with UCLP (Cleft group). We thus examined the three-dimensional (3D) facial displacement while smiling in the Cleft and Control groups in order to determine whether or not the physical properties of facial soft tissues differ between the Cleft and Control groups and to examine the relationship between the physical properties of facial soft tissues on 3D facial displacement while smiling. Three-dimensional images at rest and while smiling as well as the facial physical properties (e.g. viscoelasticity) of both groups were recorded. Differences in terms of physical properties and facial displacement while smiling between the two groups were examined. To examine the relationship between facial surface displacement while smiling and physical properties, a canonical correlation analysis (CCA) was conducted. As a result, three typical abnormal features of smiling in the Cleft group compared with the Control group were noted: less upward and backward displacement on the scar area, downward movement of the lower lip, and a greater asymmetric displacement, including greater lateral displacement of the subalar on the cleft side while smiling and greater alar backward displacement on the non-cleft side. The Cleft group also showed greater elastic modulus at the upper lip on the cleft side, suggesting hardened soft tissue at the scar. The CCA showed that this hard scar significantly affected facial displacement, inducing less upward and backward displacement on the scar area and downward movement of the lower lip in patients with UCLP (correlation coefficient = 0.82, p = 0.04); however, there was no significant relationship between greater nasal alar lateral movement and physical properties of the skin at the scar. Based on these results, personalizing treatment options for dysfunction in facial expression generation may require quantification of the 3D facial morphology and physical properties of facial soft tissues.