BACKGROUND: It has been suggested that botulinum toxin A (BTX-A) treatment for frown lines can also be used as a treatment for depression. A psychological mechanism for this effect is reviewed in which paralysis of the corrugator (frown) muscles leads to less facial feedback for negative emotions. Consequently, a negative affect is harder to maintain and so the person has a more positive mood. METHODS: In order to test this mechanism, the mood of patients who had received BTX-A treatment for glabelar frown lines was measured and compared with patients who had received other cosmetic treatments. RESULTS: The BTX-A-treated patients showed significantly less negative mood. CONCLUSION: The results support the facial feedback view that frowning can make one unhappier. Treatments that prevent frowning correlate with reduced negative mood.
BACKGROUND: It has been suggested that botulinum toxin A (BTX-A) treatment for frown lines can also be used as a treatment for depression. A psychological mechanism for this effect is reviewed in which paralysis of the corrugator (frown) muscles leads to less facial feedback for negative emotions. Consequently, a negative affect is harder to maintain and so the person has a more positive mood. METHODS: In order to test this mechanism, the mood of patients who had received BTX-A treatment for glabelar frown lines was measured and compared with patients who had received other cosmetic treatments. RESULTS: The BTX-A-treated patients showed significantly less negative mood. CONCLUSION: The results support the facial feedback view that frowning can make one unhappier. Treatments that prevent frowning correlate with reduced negative mood.
Authors: O P Kreyden; B Rzany; P Becker-Wegerich; C Boudny-Frey; P Carrozza-Merlani; M Hess-Schmid; B Schlagenhauff Journal: Hautarzt Date: 2015-02 Impact factor: 0.751
Authors: Goran Šimić; Mladenka Tkalčić; Vana Vukić; Damir Mulc; Ena Španić; Marina Šagud; Francisco E Olucha-Bordonau; Mario Vukšić; Patrick R Hof Journal: Biomolecules Date: 2021-05-31