SynthesisAesthetic plastic surgery2026
Potential Role of Botulinum Neurotoxin Type A as a Supportive Intervention for Depressive Symptoms: A Systematic Review.
Synthesis in Aesthetic plastic surgery, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
1 citing paper in PubMed.
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
6 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundDepression is a major global health issue. Recent studies suggest that botulinum toxin (BoNT/A), commonly used in aesthetic procedures, might have potential as an adjunct to traditional treatments for depressive symptoms. It is hypothesized that BoNT/A could influence neurochemical pathways to help alleviate depressive symptoms.
methodsA systematic literature review was conducted focusing on Botulinum Neurotoxin Type A (BoNT/A) for depressive disorders. Primary studies published in English were included. Data were extracted on injection sites, dosage, adverse events, and outcomes. Statistical analysis included chi-squared tests and logistic regression to identify treatment predictors.
resultsTwelve studies were included, primarily targeting the glabellar region with BoNT/A injections. Approximately 71% of patients demonstrated reductions in depression symptoms. The chi-square test revealed a significant association between injection sites and depression improvement (p = 0.009). Higher doses of BoNT/A showed a marginally negative relationship with depression reduction (p = 0.098). Most adverse effects were mild, such as local site reactions and mild headaches, with no severe adverse events like suicidal ideation reported.
conclusionsThis review describes the possible use of BoNT/A as an adjunct therapy for depressive symptoms, particularly when targeting facial muscles. Further research is needed to optimize dosage and explore the neurobiological mechanisms involved to improve therapeutic outcomes. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV: 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 .
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Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.