MEPP: A Revolutionary Web Platform for Facial Rehabilitation

Information & communications technology (ICT), Health care, Life sciences

UNMET NEED

Each year, approximately 2.4 million people suffer from Bell’s palsy, and another 2 million develop facial paralysis following a stroke. Between 20% and 30% of this affected population would require facial rehabilitation. However, access to effective and early rehabilitation remains limited, leading many patients to turn to scientifically unvalidated approaches. The resulting facial aftereffects (muscle weakness, asymmetry, chronic pain) significantly increase their psychological distress and have a major impact on their quality of life.

Rehabilitation must rely on the expertise of healthcare professionals specialized in facial paralysis and on the proper use of specialized tools. However, tools that provide evidence-based care, such as mirror therapy, remain scarce, making interventions less effective and clinical outcomes suboptimal. It is therefore urgent to develop innovative solutions.

OVERVIEW OF THE PROPOSED SOLUTION

To address this issue, the research team led by Dr. Sarah Martineau has developed the Mirror Effect Plus Protocol (MEPP), a revolutionary web platform for facial rehabilitation that combines augmented reality, mirror therapy and other proven principles in facial reeducation. Offering a personalized approach, MEPP stands out from other market solutions by integrating the fundamental principles of facial paralysis rehabilitation and the clinically proven benefits of mirror therapy.

With an adaptive progression of exercises and optimized visual assistance, it facilitates the rehabilitation of individuals with neurological facial disorders. More than 300 users, including clinicians and patients, have already adopted MEPP.

The software requires only a simple webcam to activate mirror therapy and includes a precise evaluation module, an evolving exercise bank, a standardized progression system and a personalized treatment tracking. Users can access their treatment plan, perform targeted exercises, and track their progress optimally.

COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGES

Rigorous studies have demonstrated the significant impact of MEPP on patients with facial paralysis:

Increased motivation among patients for facial therapy, with a notable improvement in their quality of life.
Rapid reduction in functional impacts, with a decrease in synkinesis (involuntary contractions) within the first three months of their appearance.
Sustainable improvement in facial symmetry, reducing the gap between the paralyzed and healthy hemiface.
Better face ownership by patients, enhancing the effectiveness of the therapeutic process.
100% of post-stroke patients with facial sequelae find the MEPP easy to use and wish to continue using it.
60% of surveyed users are willing to adopt the MEPP with an access fee.

Additionally, both clinicians and patients rate the user experience as good to very good, highlighting the tangible benefits in the therapeutic process, ease of use, and the aesthetic appeal of the platform

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY

The MEPP platform (mirroreffectplus.org) is currently in its version 4.0 and at the pre-commercialization stage. User trials are ongoing with post-stroke patients and facial rehabilitation experts worldwide.

We are ready to engage in strategic collaborations for the commercialization of this innovative web platform, particularly through:

Funding for industry-university maturation programs
Licensing agreements for commercial applications

MARKET SECTORS

Telemedicine and web-based tools for facial therapy
Treatment of patients with facial paralysis

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY (IP) PROTECTION

Web platform protected by copyright
Open-source development

CONTACTS

Sarah Martineau, Ph. D.

LEAD SCIENTIST
School of Speech Therapy and Audiology
Université de Montréal

Andréa Arias

BUSINESS CONTACT
Director Technology Transfer
andrea.arias@axelys.ca