As Seen on Social Media: Mixed-Methods Analysis of Bell's Palsy Perspectives.

INTRODUCTION: Bell's palsy can cause functional and psychosocial impairment, traditionally evaluated via surveys such as the Facial Clinimetric Evaluation (FaCE) Scale. Social media is a newer way to share health experiences. This study aimed to characterize Bell's palsy experience as shared on social media. METHODS: Videos within criteria were selected from social media platforms. Transcripts were generated via Python. Directed content analysis used the FaCE Scale to derive themes. RESULTS: All themes and subthemes in FaCE were also present on social media. An additional theme of "mood" was present only on social media (70% of videos) with subthemes of depression (53%), uncertainty (27%), fear (23%), and optimism (20%). Themes present in both FaCE and social media were "functional issues," "treatments," and "changes to daily life." However only social media had the following subthemes: "functional issues" subthemes of speech (27%), hyperacusis (17%), and dysgeusia (17%); "treatments" subthemes of steroids (40%), acupuncture (30%), facial exercises (30%), and supplements (23%); and "changes to daily life" subthemes of prioritizing rest (20%), covering face (13%), and impact on job (10%). Females were more likely to discuss depression (p = 0.042). CONCLUSION: Patients with Bell's palsy share experiences on social media not captured by traditional patient questionnaires, revealing areas to optimize care for this population.