Studying Facial Activity in Parkinson's Disease Patients Using an Automated Method and Video Recording

Main objective of this research is studying facial activity of Parkinson's disease (PD) patients using an automated method for assessing facial movements based on action units (AUs) detection with calculating the received movement signal kinematic characteristics. 16 PD patients and 16 participants in the control group have been recorded using 2D video camera while performing 4 facial tests: closing the eyes, raising the eyebrows, smiling with an effort (grin), moving the eyebrows. 11 kinematic parameters have been calculated for each signal of AU intensity of each patient. There is decrease in the facial movements frequency and speed. Consequently, there is increase in the duration of the performance of facial tests in PD patients group compared to the control group. Only some AUs also showed a decrease in the amplitude of facial movements in PD patients group compared to the control group. Statistical differences in the largest number of kinematic parameters have been obtained for the action units AU12 and AU14 recorded during the smile with effort test, and AU04 recorded during the eyebrow moving test.