Emotion regulation flexibility: EEG/EMG predictors and consequences of switching between reappraisal and distraction strategies.

Flexible use of emotion regulation (ER) strategies is central to mental health. To advance our understanding of what drives adaptive strategy-switching decisions, in this preregistered study, we used event-related potentials (late positive potential, LPP and stimulus preceding negativity, SPN) and facial electromyography (EMG corrugator activity) to test the antecedents and consequences of switching to an alternative ER strategy. Participants (N = 63, Mage = 24.8 years, all female) passively watched and then implemented an instructed ER strategy (reappraisal or distraction) in response to high-intensity negative pictures that were either easy or difficult to reinterpret (high or low reappraisal affordance, respectively). Next, they decided to "switch from" or "maintain" the instructed strategy and subsequently implemented the chosen strategy. Reappraisal affordance manipulations successfully induced switching. Regarding antecedents, switching was predicted by the reduced ER efficacy of the current strategy (corrugator, but not LPP). Switching to distraction was additionally predicted by increased responses to the stimulus during passive viewing (corrugator and LPP) and increased anticipatory effort in implementing reappraisal (SPN). Concerning consequences, switching to distraction improved, whereas switching to reappraisal impaired post-choice ER effects (LPP). However, starting with reappraisal was overall more effective than starting with distraction, irrespective of the subsequent decision (corrugator). Our results suggest that switching between ER strategies occurs in accordance with situational demands (stimulus affordances) and is predicted by reduced peripheral physiological ER efficacy. However, only switching to distraction leads to improved regulatory effects. These insights provide neurocognitively grounded starting points for developing interventions targeting ER flexibility.

A Phase III Clinical Study of the Efficacy and Safety of Botulinum Toxin Type A (MASPORT) with DYSPORT for the Treatment of Glabellar Lines.

BACKGROUND: Botulinum toxin type A is a widely used treatment of facial wrinkles. The objective of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of a new botulinum toxin type A (Masport [abobotulinum toxin A], MasoonDarou Co) with DYSPORT® for the treatment of glabellar lines. METHODS: 262 subjects with moderate-to-severe glabellar lines received either a fixed dose of 50 units of MASPORT® or DYSPORT® (Ipsen Company, England). Subjects were followed up at 14, 30, 60, 90 and 120 days after injection. Efficacy was assessed by investigator at maximum frown and rest and also by Subject Global Assessment of Change (SGA). The responders were defined as persons with +2 grade improvement from baseline for both investigator and patient assessment. The occurrence and duration of adverse effects were recorded up throughout the study. RESULTS: According to the investigator evaluations, the responder rate at maximum frown were 94.5% for MASPORT and 95.6% for DYSPORT group on day 30 and at rest were 85.45% and 85.68% for MASPORT and DYSPORT group, respectively. According to the subject self-assessment, the proportion of responders in MASPORT group at day 30 was 95.28% versus 97.04% for DYSPORT group. No serious drug related adverse effect was recorded in either study groups, and the rates of adverse effects were similar for both groups. CONCLUSION: Abobotulinum toxin A [MASPORT] is equally safe and effective as commercial product [DYSPORT] for the treatment of glabellar lines with the dose of 50 units, up to 120 days. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE I: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Corrugator Muscle Activity Associated with Pressure Pain in Adults with Neck/Shoulder Pain.

Background and Objectives: No studies have reported corrugator muscle activity associated with pain in people with pain. This study aimed to develop an objective pain assessment method using corrugator muscle activity with pressure pain stimulation to the skeletal muscle. Methods: Participants were 20 adults (a mean ± SD age of 22.0 ± 3.1 years) with chronic neck/shoulder pain. Surface electromyography (sEMG) of corrugator muscle activity at rest (baseline) and without and with pressure pain stimulation applied to the most painful tender point in the shoulder was recorded. Participants evaluated the intensity of the neck/shoulder pain and the sensory and affective components of pain with pressure stimulation using a visual analogue scale (VAS). The percentages of integrated sEMG (% corrugator activity) without and with pressure pain stimulation to the baseline integrated sEMG were compared, and the relationships between the % corrugator activity and the sensory and affective components of pain VAS scores were evaluated. Results: Without pressure stimulation, an increase in corrugator muscle activity due to chronic neck/shoulder pain was not observed. The % corrugator activity with pressure pain stimulation was significantly higher than that without stimulation (p < 0.01). A significant positive correlation between corrugator muscle activity and the affective components of pain VAS scores with pressure stimulation was found (ρ = 0.465, p = 0.039) and a tendency of positive correlation was found for the sensory component of pain VAS scores (ρ = 0.423, p = 0.063). Conclusions: The increase in corrugator muscle activity with pressure pain stimulation to the tender point in adults with chronic neck/shoulder pain was observed, although increased corrugator muscle activity resulting from the chronic neck/shoulder pain was not. These findings suggest that corrugator muscle activity with pressure pain stimulation can be a useful objective indication for tender point sensitivity assessment in the skeletal muscle with pain.

[Anatomy of the frontal region]. / Anatomie de la région frontale.

The forehead is an anatomic region located between the frontal hairline cranially, the eyebrow and the glabella caudally, and the anterior border of the temporal fossa laterally on both sides. Its vertical situation, due to the telencephalon growth, is specific of the human species. From surface to deep planes, the skin and sub-cutaneous fat pads are described first. The muscular plane is constituted of the frontal muscles elevators of the forehead and the eyebrow, and the depressors which are the procerus and orbicularis oculi muscles superficially, the depressor supercilii muscle, and the corrugator supercilii in a deep plane. The galea aponeurotica, located deep to the frontal muscles, is a fibrous lamina on which the muscles of the skull insert. There is a sexual dimorphism of the frontal bone. The male forehead has extensive supraorbital bossing, and above this there is often a flat area, in teh femalethe supraorbital bossing is often nonexistent and above, there is a continous mild curvature. Blood supply to the forehead is given by an anterior pedicle constituted by the supraorbital and supratrochlear vessels and a lateral pedicle made of the anterior branches from the superficial temporal vessels. The sensory innervation of the forehead is given by the ophtalmic nerve which divides in frontal, nasociliar and lacrymal nerves. The motor innervation is given by the temporal ramus of the facial nerve which passes laterally to the zygomatic arch, and gives the innervation of the frontal, corrugator supercilii and procerus muscles.

Crosstalk in Facial EMG and Its Reduction Using ICA.

There is ample evidence that electromyography (EMG) signals from the corrugator supercilii and zygomatic major muscles can provide valuable information for the assessment of subjective emotional experiences. Although previous research suggested that facial EMG data could be affected by crosstalk from adjacent facial muscles, it remains unproven whether such crosstalk occurs and, if so, how it can be reduced. To investigate this, we instructed participants (n = 29) to perform the facial actions of frowning, smiling, chewing, and speaking, in isolation and combination. During these actions, we measured facial EMG signals from the corrugator supercilii, zygomatic major, masseter, and suprahyoid muscles. We performed an independent component analysis (ICA) of the EMG data and removed crosstalk components. Speaking and chewing induced EMG activity in the masseter and suprahyoid muscles, as well as the zygomatic major muscle. The ICA-reconstructed EMG signals reduced the effects of speaking and chewing on zygomatic major activity, compared with the original signals. These data suggest that: (1) mouth actions could induce crosstalk in zygomatic major EMG signals, and (2) ICA can reduce the effects of such crosstalk.

Prone to food in bad mood-Emotion-potentiated food-cue reactivity in patients with binge-eating disorder.

OBJECTIVE: Theories on emotional eating are central to our understanding of etiology, maintenance, and treatment of binge eating. Yet, findings on eating changes under induced negative emotions in binge-eating disorder (BED) are equivocal. Thus, we studied whether food-cue reactivity is potentiated under negative emotions in BED, which would point toward a causal role of emotional eating in this disorder. METHODS: Patients with BED (n = 24) and a control group without eating disorders (CG; n = 69) completed a food picture reactivity task after induction of negative versus neutral emotions. Food-cue reactivity (self-reported food pleasantness, desire to eat [DTE], and corrugator supercilii muscle response, electromyogram [EMG]) was measured for low- and high-caloric food pictures. RESULTS: Patients with BED showed emotion-potentiated food-cue reactivity compared to controls: Pleasantness and DTE ratings and EMG response were increased in BED during negative emotions. This was independent of caloric content of the images. CONCLUSIONS: Food-cue reactivity in BED was consistent with emotional eating theories and points to a heightened response to all foods regardless of calorie content. The discrepancy of appetitive ratings with the aversive corrugator response points to ambivalent food responses under negative emotions in individuals with BED.

Grumpy face during adult sleep: A clue to negative emotion during sleep?

Negative facial expressions and frowns have been studied (albeit more rarely than smiles) in fetus' and neonate' sleep, but they have not been investigated during adult sleep. Video polysomnography (including corrugator muscle electromyography and face-focussed video) was used to study negative facial expressions in sleeping adults, including healthy subjects and patients with/out parasomnia. Frowns were observed during sleep in 89/91 (97.8%) adults during normal (29 healthy subjects) and abnormal sleep (29 patients without parasomnia, 15 patients with disorders of arousal and 18 patients with rapid eye movement [REM] sleep behaviour disorder [RBD]). In healthy subjects, the following events occurred in decreasing frequency: isometric corrugator activations, brief frowns, and then prolonged frowns and raised eyebrows (both similarly rare). Frowns predominated in REM sleep, and had a lower frequency in non-REM sleep. In healthy subjects, frowns were elementary and not associated with other face movements to the point of composing negative expressions. In contrast, frowns were occasionally associated with overt negative facial expressions in REM sleep in patients with RBD and a young patient with night terrors. They included mostly painful expressions and rarely sadness and anger in connection with apparently negative behaviours (shouts, painful moaning, and speeches). Frowns persist during normal sleep (mostly in REM sleep) in adults, but overt negative facial expressions are restricted to patients with parasomnia. Whether elementary frowns translate a negative dream emotion should be determined, but overt negative facial expressions during RBD could be used as a direct access to dream emotions.

PrabotulinumtoxinA-xvfs for the Treatment of Moderate-to-Severe Glabellar Lines.

OBJECTIVE: PrabotulinumtoxinA-xvfs (Jeuveau), a botulinum toxin type A, was approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the temporary improvement in the appearance of moderate-to-severe glabellar lines in February 2019. This article will review phase II and III clinical trials to assess the efficacy, safety, and clinical application of this novel, aesthetic-only drug. DATA SOURCES: A systematic literature review was performed using the terms "glabellar lines AND prabotulinumtoxinA" in the PubMed database. ClinicalTrials.gov was searched to identify nonpublished studies. STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION: Articles written in English between November 2019 and June 2020 discussing phase II and phase III clinical trials were evaluated. DATA SYNTHESIS: By the primary efficacy end point on day 30, more patients achieved a greater than 2-point improvement on the Glabellar Line Scale (GLS) at maximum frown compared with baseline on day 0. The proportions of participants who responded to treatment with prabotulinumtoxinA were 67.5% and 70.4% versus 1.2% and 1.3% in placebo groups across 2 identical clinical trials (P < 0.001). Patients receiving prabotulinumtoxinA experienced greater improvement in GLS at maximum frown on day 30 (87.2%) compared with onabotulinumtoxinA (82.8%) and placebo (4.2%; P < 0.001). PrabotulinumtoxinA was well tolerated across all studies. RELEVANCE TO PATIENT CARE AND CLINICAL PRACTICE: This review provides a detailed analysis of the safety and efficacy of prabotulinumtoxinA-xvfs and includes special considerations to help guide patients and clinicians. CONCLUSION: PrabotulinumtoxinA is a safe and effective new addition to the repository of available treatments for the appearance of glabellar lines.

Influence of violent contexts on facial reactions elicited by angry and neutral faces.

This study focuses on determining whether violent contexts influence the perception of aggressiveness in faces analysing spontaneous corrugator supercilii activity. Participants viewed pictures of neutral and angry faces preceded by a contextual sentence describing either violent or neutral actions. They were instructed to judge each face according to whether it was aggressive or non-aggressive. Results show a higher level of perceived aggressiveness for neutral faces preceded by violent contexts, accompanied by longer reaction times, and a significant increase of corrugator activity. Angry faces preceded by neutral contexts were judged as less aggressive and elicited less corrugator activity. In conclusion, our results provide evidence that facial reactions and aggressiveness judgment for faces are context-dependent. With this work, we contribute to the view that contextual cues guide the face's emotional meaning, under top-down processing.

Three-Dimensional Territory and Depth of the Corrugator Supercilii: Application to Botulinum Neurotoxin Injection.

This study aimed to determine the three-dimensional (3D) territory and depth of the corrugator supercilii muscle (CSM) using a 3D structured-light scanner. Thirty-two hemifaces from Korean and Thai embalmed cadavers were used in this study, and 35 healthy young Korean subjects also participated. A 3D analysis of the CSM territory and depth was performed using a structured-light 3D scanner. The most frequently observed locations of the CSM identified in the cadaver were confirmed in healthy young subjects using a real-time two-dimensional B-mode ultrasonography system. The CSM was present in all of the cadavers and healthy young subjects at the intersection point between the vertical line passing through the medial canthus and the horizontal line passing through the glabella (Point #6). The CSM was located on the medial side of the lateral limbus in most cases. The most-medial and most-lateral origin points were at depths of 5.7 ± 1.4 mm (mean ± SD) and 6.6 ± 1.4 mm, respectively; the corresponding depths of the insertion points were 5.4 ± 1.4 mm and 5.6 ± 2.1 mm, respectively. The origin and insertion points of the CSM were at similar depths. The injection depth should be around 4 mm for botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) injections into the CSM. Point #6 could be regarded as an effective target point for managing the glabellar frown line and preventing palpebral ptosis when injecting BoNT into the CSM. Clin. Anat., 33:795-803, 2020. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

[Minimally Invasive Corrugator Resection and Backfill Using Self-made Modified Liposuction Needle in the Treatment of Moderate and Severe Glabellar Frown Lines].

Objective To exploring a new minimally invasive method for the removal of moderate and severe glabellar frown lines. Method The corrugator supercilii muscles were subjected to blunt cutting and vacuum suction by using a self-made modified liposuction needle,and the obtained muscle particles were backfilled subcutaneously into the depression area between eyebrows to expand the wrinkles. Results Seventeen cases were followed up for six to twelve months after the operation.The glabellar wrinkles disappeared or became flatter in all patients. Conclusion The minimally invasive corrugator resection and backfill by using self-made modified liposuction needle can effectively remove the glabellar frown lines without forming scar.

Transpalpebral Corrugator Resection: 25-Year Experience, Refinements and Additional Indications.

The senior author introduced the transpalpebral approach for the first time during the ASPS meeting in 1993. He has made some refinements in the technique and has developed newer indications for this procedure. These refinements, indications and the related new video are the subject of this report. The modifications in the technique are as follows: After elevation of the skin and the orbicularis muscle and dissection under the muscle, a thin layer of the depressor supercilii muscle overlying the darker and more friable corrugator supercilii muscle is removed. A fairly constant branch of the supraorbital nerve piercing this muscle medially is first identified on the surface and followed deep in the muscle using a mosquito hemostat. The muscle is then lifted, and then, the same nerve branch is identified above the periosteum. The segment of the muscle lateral to this nerve is then isolated and removed by first transecting it medially and then lateral to the nerve. A cephalic segment is isolated and removed using the coagulation power of the cautery to minimize the postoperative bleeding. The rest of the muscle is then removed in a piecemeal fashion as thoroughly as possible, including a lateral segment of the procerus muscle, the end point being visualization of the subcutaneous fat. If the intention of the surgery is to treat frontal migraine headaches, the supratrochlear and supraorbital arteries are also removed. If the nerve and vessel pass through a foramen, a foraminotomy is carried out on patients with migraine headaches. Two to three cc of fat is injected in the glabellar and corrugator sites in most patients to avoid any depression and to restore the lost glabellar volume. Beyond patients with male pattern baldness, those with a long forehead and those with overactive frown muscles but optimal eyebrow positions, this technique is now being used for those with proptosis, exophthalmos and those with eyelid ptosis who would not undergo ptosis correction to prevent elevation of the eyebrows, which exaggerates the proptosis or makes the eyelid ptosis more discernible. Additionally, a common indication for this surgery is in patients with frontal migraine headaches. This report highlights the refinements in the transpalpebral corrugator resection that have been implemented over the last 25 years and offers additional indications for its utilization. Level of Evidence V This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

[Forehead rejuvenation]. / Le rajeunissement du front.

The goal of this article is to provide a systemic approach to forehead rejuvenation. Fillers, botulinic toxin injections, transpalpebral, endoscopic or bicoronal brow lift must be usual techniques for every plastic surgeon in overall facial rejuvenation. Achieving a long lasting and aesthetically pleasing forehead is possible only with surgical techniques when aging is obvious.

Anatomy of Forehead, Glabellar, Nasal and Orbital Muscles, and Their Correlation with Distinctive Patterns of Skin Lines on the Upper Third of the Face: Reviewing Concepts.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study is to establish a relationship between the skin lines on the upper third of the face in cadavers, which represent the muscle activity in life and the skin lines achieved by voluntary contraction of the forehead, glabellar, and orbital muscles in patients. METHODS: Anatomical dissection of fresh cadavers was performed in 20 fresh cadavers, 11 females and 9 males, with ages ranging from 53 to 77 years. Subcutaneous dissection identified the muscle shape and the continuity of the fibers of the eyebrow elevator and depress muscles. Subgaleal dissection identified the cutaneous insertions of the muscles. They were correlated with skin lines on the upper third of the face of the cadavers that represent the muscle activity in life. Voluntary contraction was performed by 20 voluntary patients, 13 females and 7 males, with ages ranging from 35 to 62 years. Distinct patterns of skin lines on the forehead, glabellar and orbital areas, and eyebrow displacement were identified. RESULTS: The frontalis exhibited four anatomical shapes with four different patterns of horizontal parallel lines on the forehead skin. The corrugator supercilii showed three shapes of muscles creating six patterns of vertical glabellar lines, three symmetrical and three asymmetrical. The orbicularis oculi and procerus had single patterns. The skin lines exhibited in voluntary contraction of the upper third of the face in patients showed the same patterns of the skin lines achieved in cadavers. CONCLUSIONS: Skin lines in cadavers, which are the expression of the muscle activity in life, were similar to those achieved in the voluntary contraction of patients, allowing us to assert that the muscle patterns of patients were similar to those identified in cadavers. NO LEVEL ASSIGNED: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each submission to which Evidence-Based Medicine rankings are applicable. This excludes Review Articles, Book Reviews, and manuscripts that concern Basic Science, Animal Studies, Cadaver Studies, and Experimental Studies. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors http://www.springer.com/00266 .

Anatomocosmetic implication rules of the corrugator supercilii muscle for youthful eye appearance.

The dynamic balance of the eyebrows is maintained by the frontal muscle which acts as a brow elevator, and the brow depressors include corrugator supercilii muscle (CSM), procerus, depressor supercilii, and orbicularis oculi muscles. The glabellar rhytids might appear as a result of negative emotions, such as anger, anxiety, fatigue, fear, or disapproval. For youthful and calmer eyes, CSM may restore the muscle balance more safely and effectively for the treatments of forehead rejuvenation. In 50 cadaver hemibrows, CSM was dissected to investigate the location, position, muscle patterns, and its relationships to other muscles. The location of the CSM was variable; five different CSM patterns were defined. Pattern 1: rectangular-shaped classical type was observed with the frequency of 42.5 %. Also, three bellies were present in 25 %, and duplicate muscle in 12.5 %. Irregular flat (15 %) and hypoplastic types (5 %) were introduced as previously unidentified patterns. In muscle specimens, 30 % had complete symmetry, 45 % complete asymmetry, and 25 % semi-assymetry. Mean CSM thickness, length, and width were measured as 1.62 ± 0.4, 29.24 ± 6.4, and 12.62 ± 3.3 mm, respectively. The distances of the medial origo of the CSM-midline and the lateral origo of the CSM-midline were measured as 5.54 ± 4.89 and 14.62 ± 4.17 mm. The different patterns of the CSM were undefined previously. The findings manifest the necessity of botox treatment peculiar to each individual. As, insertion points have been releasing fibres to the peripheral muscles, it is an evidence of its complicated structure. The muscles in the glabella are difficult to demarcate precisely from surface anatomy due to overlapped muscles with intermingled borders, where they are attached as individual patterns. Hence, it might be disadvantageous that different patterns may lead to the risk of asymmetry of the face and brow ptosis in the postinjection period.

Frowning and jaw clenching muscle activity reflects the perception of effort during incremental workload cycling.

The present study aimed to investigate whether facial electromyography (EMG) recordings reflect the perception of effort and primary active lower limb muscle activity during incremental workload cycling. The effects of exercise intensity on EMG activity of the corrugator supercilii (CS), masseter and vastus lateralis (VL) muscles, heart rate (HR) and the rating of perceived exertion (RPE) were investigated, and the correlations among these parameters were determined. Eighteen males and 15 females performed continuous incremental workload cycling exercise until exhaustion. CS, masseter and VL muscle activities were continuously recorded using EMG during exercise. HR was also continuously monitored during the test. During the final 30 s of each stage of cycle ergometer exercise, participants were asked to report their feeling of exertion on the adult OMNI-Cycle RPE. HR and EMG activity of the facial muscles and the primary active lower limb muscle were strongly correlated with RPE; they increased with power output. Furthermore, facial muscle activity increased significantly during high-intensity exercise. Masseter muscle activity was strongly and positively correlated with HR, RPE and VL activity. The present investigation supports the view that facial EMG activity reflects the perception of effort. The jaw clenching facial expression can be considered an important factor for improving the reporting of perceived effort during high-intensity exercise in males and females. Key pointsFrowning and jaw clenching muscle activity reflects the perception of effort during incremental workload cycling.EMG activity of the masseter muscle was strongly and positively correlated with RPE, HR and lower limb EMG activity during incremental workload cycling.The jaw clenching facial expression can be considered an important factor for estimating the intensity of effort.

Can neutral episodic memories become emotional? Evidence from facial expressions and subjective feelings.

Maladaptive emotional memories are a transdiagnostic feature of mental health problems. Therefore, understanding whether and how emotional memories can change might help to prevent and treat mental disorders. We tested whether neutral memories of naturalistic events can retroactively acquire positive or negative affect, in a preregistered three-day Modification of Valence in Episodes (MOVIE) paradigm. On Day 1, participants (N = 41) encoded memories of neutral movie scenes, representing lifelike naturalistic experiences. On Day 2, they retrieved each episode before viewing a happy, sad, or neutral scene from the same movie (yielding a within-subjects design with a neutral-negative, neutral-positive, and neutral-neutral condition). On Day 3, participants again retrieved each memory from Day 1. We assessed the affective tone of episodes through facial expressions of positive and negative affect (using facial electromyography, fEMG) and through self-reported feelings. Positive updating of neutral episodes led to increased expressions of positive affect, whereas negative updating led to increased self-reported negative feelings. These results suggest that complex neutral episodic memories can retroactively acquire an affective tone, but the effects were modest and inconsistent across affect readouts. Future research should investigate alternative approaches to updating emotional memories that produce more profound changes in the valence of memories.

Temporal dynamics of positive emotion regulation: insights from facial electromyography.

Introduction: Emotion regulation (ER) is a complex process that manifests gradually over time. This study investigated the temporal dynamics of ER in modifying positive emotions in terms of both negative affect (NA) and positive affect (PA) dimensions. Methods: After participants had been exposed to pleasant pictures for 8,000 ms, they received instructions to either continue viewing the picture (no regulation) or reappraise it with a neutral meaning (neutralize goal) or negative meaning (transform goal) for another 8,000 ms. We obtained corrugator supercilii and zygomaticus major electromyography (EMG) as objective measures of NA and PA. Results: For the no-regulation condition, upon instruction onset, we observed maintained low levels of corrugator and high levels of zygomaticus EMG reactivity, indicating sustained PA activation. Compared to the no-regulation condition, for the neutralize goal, we observed no change in corrugator reactivity, which remained at a low level, while zygomaticus reduction started at 1,000 ms after instruction onset, indicating decreased PA and generation of a neutral emotional state. For the transform goal, we observed corrugator increase and zygomaticus decrease both starting at 1,500 ms after instruction onset and co-existing throughout the regulation period. These results indicate increased NA and decreased PA, relating to generation of a negative emotional state. The transform goal differed from the neutralize goal in terms of corrugator increase starting at 2,500 ms after instruction onset. Albeit simultaneous onset of changes on corrugator and zygomaticus reactivity under the transform goal, model-fitting analyses indicated that the best-fitting trajectory was one that first emphasized PA reduction until, at 3,000 ms, it turned into primary NA increase. Discussion: These distinct temporal patterns highlight the possibility of effecting one-dimensional PA change with the neutralize goal and sequential two-dimensional change (first decreasing PA, then increasing NA) with the transform goal. This research sheds light on the time course of emotional change brought about by different regulatory goals.

Enhanced Empathic Pain by Facial Feedback.

The facial feedback hypothesis states that feedback from cutaneous and muscular afferents affects our emotion. Based on the facial feedback hypothesis, the purpose of this study was to determine whether enhancing negative emotion by activating a facial muscle (corrugator supercilii) increases the intensity of cognitive and emotional components of empathic pain. We also assessed whether the muscle contraction changed the pupil size, which would indicate a higher level of arousal. Forty-eight individuals completed 40 muscular contraction and relaxation trials while looking at images of five male and five female patients with neutral and painful facial expressions, respectively. Participants were asked to rate (1) how much pain the patient was in, and (2) how unpleasant their own feelings were. We also examined their facial muscle activities and changes in pupil size. No significant differences in pain or unpleasantness ratings were detected for the neutral face between the two conditions; however, the pain and unpleasantness ratings for the painful face were considerably higher in the contraction than relaxation condition. The pupils were considerably larger in the contraction than relaxation condition for both the painful and neutral faces. Our findings indicate that, by strengthening the corrugator supercilii, facial feedback can affect both the cognitive evaluative and affective sharing aspects of empathic pain.

Self-Relevance Moderates the Relationship between Depressive Symptoms and Corrugator Activity during the Imagination of Personal Episodic Events.

Accumulating evidence suggests depression is associated with blunted reactivity to positive and negative stimuli, known as emotion context insensitivity (ECI). However, ECI is not consistently observed in the literature, suggesting moderators that influence its presence. We propose self-relevance as one such moderator, with ECI most apparent when self-relevance is low. We examined this proposal by measuring self-report and facial electromyography (EMG) from the corrugator muscle while participants (n = 81) imagined hypothetical scenarios with varying self-relevance and recalled autobiographical memories. Increased depressive symptoms on the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale were associated with less differentiated arousal and self-relevance ratings between happy, neutral, and sad scenarios. EMG analyses further revealed that individuals with high depressive symptoms exhibited blunted corrugator reactivity (reduced differentiation) for sad, neutral, and happy scenarios with low self-relevance, while corrugator reactivity remained sensitive to valence for highly self-relevant scenarios. By comparison, in individuals with low depressive symptoms, corrugator activity differentiated valence regardless of stimulus self-relevance. Supporting a role for self-relevance in shaping ECI, we observed no depression-related differences in emotional reactivity when participants recalled highly self-relevant happy or sad autobiographical memories. Our findings suggest ECI is primarily associated with blunted reactivity towards material deemed low in self-relevance.