Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40828430›Full record

Observational studyNeurosurgical review2025

The glabella tap reflex reveals fluctuations in the hyperexcitability of the facial nucleus with hemifacial spasm: a prospective observational study.

Gang Wu, Zihao Zhang, Qingpei Hao, Zeyu Miao, Bin Li, Hu Ding, Ruen Liu

Abstract readObservational Study
PubMed Publisher
In one paragraph

Observational study in Neurosurgical review, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Observational
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Gang WuDepartment of Neurosurgery, Peking University People's Hospital, No. 11, South Street of Xizhimen, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100044, China.
Zihao ZhangDepartment of Neurosurgery, Peking University People's Hospital, No. 11, South Street of Xizhimen, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100044, China.
Qingpei HaoDepartment of Neurosurgery, Peking University People's Hospital, No. 11, South Street of Xizhimen, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100044, China.
Zeyu MiaoDepartment of Neurosurgery, Peking University People's Hospital, No. 11, South Street of Xizhimen, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100044, China.
Bin LiDepartment of Neurosurgery, Peking University People's Hospital, No. 11, South Street of Xizhimen, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100044, China.
Hu DingDepartment of Neurosurgery, Peking University People's Hospital, No. 11, South Street of Xizhimen, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100044, China.
Ruen LiuDepartment of Neurosurgery, Peking University People's Hospital, No. 11, South Street of Xizhimen, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100044, China. liuruen@pku.edu.cn.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2234-976X

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundThe etiology of hemifacial spasm (HFS) remains controversial, with both peripheral and central mechanisms proposed. This study investigates the glabella tap reflex in HFS patients, exploring its relationship with facial nucleus hyperexcitability to assess its potential as a clinical marker of central pathophysiological fluctuations.

methodsWe prospectively enrolled a consecutive cohort of 69 patients with drug-refractory HFS who underwent microvascular decompression (MVD). Preoperative facial motor responses, including glabella tap-induced lateral spread and blink reflex, were assessed and recorded using standardized high-definition video. The latencies of these responses were compared using the Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed-rank test, and the correlation was assessed using Spearman analysis.

resultsMechanical tapping of the unilateral glabella elicited simultaneous contraction of the orbicularis oculi and orbicularis oris muscles and simple blink reflex in HFS patients. No statistically significant difference was found between the latencies (p = 0.873). However, Spearman analysis revealed a moderate, statistically significant positive correlation between these two latencies (r = 0.563, p < 0.001).

conclusionThe characteristics of the glabella tap reflex observed in HFS patients, particularly the variability in its manifestation, appear to reflect fluctuations in facial motor nucleus hyperexcitability. This reflex may serve as a readily accessible clinical marker for these dynamic central excitability states and potentially provide insights into pathways reconciling peripheral and central theories of HFS pathogenesis.

Indexed as

Facial NerveHemifacial SpasmReflexAdultAgedBlinkingFacial MusclesFemaleHumansMaleMicrovascular Decompression SurgeryMiddle AgedProspective StudiesBlink reflexFacial nucleus hyperexcitabilityGlabella tap reflexHemifacial spasmMicrovascular decompression

Identifiers

PMID40828430

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.