Facial electromyography in the assessment of improvement in depression

G. Schwartz, P. L. Fair, M. R. Mandel, P. Salt, M. Mieske, G. L. Klerman

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

51 Scopus citations

Abstract

Depressed patients who showed decreases in resting corrugator muscle tension levels, as measured electromyographically, also showed improvement in clinical symptoms, as assessed by the Hamilton Psychiatric Rating Scale over a 2-week period. Patients showing good clinical improvement after 2 weeks had resting pretreatment corrugator levels higher than those showing little clinical improvement, suggesting that corrugator activity might also serve as a forecaster of subsequent change. These findings support Darwin's 1872 hypothesis concerning the role of the 'grief' muscle in depression. Furthermore, psychophysiological recording of patterns of facial muscle activity may have value in the clinical assessment of depression and treatment effects.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)355-360
Number of pages6
JournalUnknown Journal
Volume40
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - 1978
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Applied Psychology
  • Psychiatry and Mental health

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