Exploring the effect of glabellar Botulinum toxin injections on symptoms of anxiety and depression: A pilot study from a cosmetic patient population

Botulinum toxin (BT) injections to the glabellar region are emerging as a promising investigational treatment for multiple mental health conditions. By paralyzing the muscles involved in frowning, this intervention is postulated by the facial feedback hypothesis to reduce the intensity of negative a...

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Main Authors: Michael K. Wolfe, Arisa Ortiz, Rona Z. Silkiss
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: KeAi Communications Co., Ltd. 2024-12-01
Series:Journal of Dermatologic Science and Cosmetic Technology
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2950306X24000566
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author Michael K. Wolfe
Arisa Ortiz
Rona Z. Silkiss
author_facet Michael K. Wolfe
Arisa Ortiz
Rona Z. Silkiss
author_sort Michael K. Wolfe
collection DOAJ
description Botulinum toxin (BT) injections to the glabellar region are emerging as a promising investigational treatment for multiple mental health conditions. By paralyzing the muscles involved in frowning, this intervention is postulated by the facial feedback hypothesis to reduce the intensity of negative affective states and has a growing body of evidence for treating major depression. However, applications to other psychiatric conditions have been relatively unexplored. This is the first study to our knowledge to examine the effect of glabellar BT on generalized anxiety. By tracking GAD-7 scores of a cosmetic population before and after receipt of glabellar BT, we observed a statistically significant decrease of anxious symptoms among patients who entered the study with a baseline level of clinical anxiety. Though more research is needed, our results suggest glabellar BT has the potential to improve symptoms of mild to moderate generalized anxiety.
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publisher KeAi Communications Co., Ltd.
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series Journal of Dermatologic Science and Cosmetic Technology
spelling doaj-art-9a79ad7bfc314faf89d84d6188cab3e42025-08-20T03:09:34ZengKeAi Communications Co., Ltd.Journal of Dermatologic Science and Cosmetic Technology2950-306X2024-12-011410005810.1016/j.jdsct.2024.100058Exploring the effect of glabellar Botulinum toxin injections on symptoms of anxiety and depression: A pilot study from a cosmetic patient populationMichael K. Wolfe0Arisa Ortiz1Rona Z. Silkiss2Department of Psychiatry, University of California, 350 Dickinson St, Ste 3- 325, San Diego, CA 92103, USA; Corresponding author.Department of Dermatology, University of California, 8899 University Center Ln, Ste 350, San Diego, CA 92122, USSilkiss Eye Surgery, 400 29th St, Ste 315, Oakland, CA 94609, USABotulinum toxin (BT) injections to the glabellar region are emerging as a promising investigational treatment for multiple mental health conditions. By paralyzing the muscles involved in frowning, this intervention is postulated by the facial feedback hypothesis to reduce the intensity of negative affective states and has a growing body of evidence for treating major depression. However, applications to other psychiatric conditions have been relatively unexplored. This is the first study to our knowledge to examine the effect of glabellar BT on generalized anxiety. By tracking GAD-7 scores of a cosmetic population before and after receipt of glabellar BT, we observed a statistically significant decrease of anxious symptoms among patients who entered the study with a baseline level of clinical anxiety. Though more research is needed, our results suggest glabellar BT has the potential to improve symptoms of mild to moderate generalized anxiety.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2950306X24000566Botulinum toxinGeneralized anxiety disorderGlabellar injectionsFacial feedback hypothesisNeuromodulatory treatments
spellingShingle Michael K. Wolfe
Arisa Ortiz
Rona Z. Silkiss
Exploring the effect of glabellar Botulinum toxin injections on symptoms of anxiety and depression: A pilot study from a cosmetic patient population
Journal of Dermatologic Science and Cosmetic Technology
Botulinum toxin
Generalized anxiety disorder
Glabellar injections
Facial feedback hypothesis
Neuromodulatory treatments
title Exploring the effect of glabellar Botulinum toxin injections on symptoms of anxiety and depression: A pilot study from a cosmetic patient population
title_full Exploring the effect of glabellar Botulinum toxin injections on symptoms of anxiety and depression: A pilot study from a cosmetic patient population
title_fullStr Exploring the effect of glabellar Botulinum toxin injections on symptoms of anxiety and depression: A pilot study from a cosmetic patient population
title_full_unstemmed Exploring the effect of glabellar Botulinum toxin injections on symptoms of anxiety and depression: A pilot study from a cosmetic patient population
title_short Exploring the effect of glabellar Botulinum toxin injections on symptoms of anxiety and depression: A pilot study from a cosmetic patient population
title_sort exploring the effect of glabellar botulinum toxin injections on symptoms of anxiety and depression a pilot study from a cosmetic patient population
topic Botulinum toxin
Generalized anxiety disorder
Glabellar injections
Facial feedback hypothesis
Neuromodulatory treatments
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2950306X24000566
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