Impact of Glabellar Paralysis on Facial Expression of Emotion.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Many prospective patients remain wary of the effects that glabellar muscle paralysis may have on their ability to normally communicate emotion with their face. OBJECTIVE: We undertook a direct empirical test of the effects of glabellar onabotulinum toxin type A injections on the ability to convey 6 universally recognized facial expressions of emotion. METHODS: Fifty-two female subjects ("expressors") were recorded on hidden camera while viewing video clips intended as a mood induction procedure that stimulates the 6 cardinal emotions (amusement, anger, disgust, fear, sadness, surprise). The subjects were then injected with 25 units of onabotulinum toxin A in the glabellar region. The subjects returned 1 month later and were again recorded while being spontaneously induced to express emotion. All video clips from both time periods from the 10 maximal expressors were extracted and shown to a group of 31 "perceivers" who rated the facial expressions for intensity (Likert 1-7) and identity of emotion (percent correct emotion identified). RESULTS: Glabellar paralysis significantly diminished mean perceived intensity of anger (50.4% relative reduction, P < 0.001) and surprise (20.6% relative reduction, P < 0.001). The mean intensity of disgust increased (39.0%, P < 0.001). Importantly, however, glabellar paralysis did not result in a significant change in observers' ability to discern provoked cardinal emotions. CONCLUSIONS: We believe these findings provide a measure of reassurance to patients and their providers that the use of onabotulinum toxin A to paralyze the glabellar musculature for aesthetic purposes may not pose a meaningful risk to the overall ability to express emotion during social interaction.