Botox injections are available for treatment of frown lines; they are not approved for the treatment of depression, which is mentioned in the story. The theory behind this small study is that Botox reduces frown lines, which helps people appear happier and, in turn, purportedly improves their depression. The notion that Botox could be a possible treatment for depression is novel, but rather a stretch, and results discussed in the story are anecdotal. The story mentions evidence-based treatments for depression, including psychotherapy and anti-depressant medications; however, discussion of cognitive therapy for depression is rather glib (i.e.†. . . it involves teaching people to cut the hangdog lookâ€).
The critique that there are “numerous flaws in the study†is very appropriate. The story provides anecdotal evidence of the effect of Botox injections on depression from one of 10 patients. A critic of the study accurately notes in her quote that further studies of this treatment should include more patients and a control group of people who get placebo injections.
The study does not discuss potential side effects of Botox injections, which may include: temporary bruising, headaches, and in some patients, temporary eyelid drooping. The story does provide the average cost of Botox injections for frown lines; however, Botox injections must be repeated every 3-4 months to maintain results, so the annual cost would be closer to $1200. On this point, the lead author of the study would benefit financially from patients using Botox for depression, so it is important that sources other than the study authors are cited for balance and perspective on the findings. The story didn’t disclose if this study was funded by the makers of Botox.
The story provides the national average cost of Botox injections for frown lines, however, Botox must be repeated every 3-4 months to maintain reduced frown lines (not mentioned), so the annual cost would be closer to $1200. Comparative costs with other treatments for depression would be useful.
The story provides anecdotal evidence of the effect of Botox on one (of 10) patients, though there is a comment that 9 of the 10 patients’ symptoms of depression were eliminated. But there is no discussion of the severity of patients’ depression at entry in the study and no quantification of the benefits of treatment, that is, what portions of the post-Botox depression instrument were improved. We also do not know how long these patients were followed.
No information on the potential side effects of Botox injections for reducing frown lines. Side effects of Botox injections may include: temporary bruising, headaches, and in some patients, temporary eyelid drooping. More severe, but rarer side effects can include anaphylaxis – or a severe, potentially fatal immunologic reaction.
There is little quantitative evidence presented in this story, however, there are appropriate caveats that this study is anecdotal and results from 10 women are not generalizable to a larger population. There is discussion that further study of this treatment should be compared with a placebo in a larger, randomized study to evaluate evidence supporting this treatment of depression. The critique that there are numerous design flaws in the study is appropriate. Good job without being too technical.
The story does not appear to be disease mongering. The story cites American Psychiatric Association prevalence data for depression.
The lead author of a study is interviewed – someone who would benefit financially from patients using Botox for depression, so it is important that sources other than the study authors are cited. It was not disclosed whether the study was funded by the makers of Botox.
The story mentions proven treatments for depression, inlcuding psychotherapy and anti-depressant medications, however, discussion of cognitive therapy for depression is rather glib.
Botox is available for treatment of frown lines for up to 120 days; it is not approved for the treatment of depression, which is mentioned in the story.
Botox is used to decrease frown lines, which purportedly would help people appear happier and improve their depression. The theory that Botox could be a possible treatment for depression is novel, and at this time, results from a small group of patients are purely anecdotal.
There is no evidence this story is from a press release. A critic of the study and a psychologist who specializes in facial feedback are interviewed to provide some perspective on the study and place the results in the larger context of neurological depression research.
Systematic, Criteria-Driven
Monday at #ADA2021, an infectious disease epidemiologist, a journalist, and a researcher shared perspectives on communication of risk in the era of COVID-19: http://ow.ly/ROfR30rMeE7 @AstleyCM @garyschwitzer @berthahidalgo @ADA_DiabetesPro
Shoutouts to @susan_bewley @drkevinknopf @MichaelBaum11 in this call for more than fawning coverage from press releases for these kinds of stories.
Also, linked history inside goes back 5 years just on Grail apparently trying to become Holy Grail. https://twitter.com/garyschwitzer/status/1408849696416841731
Comments
Please note, comments are no longer published through this website. All previously made comments are still archived and available for viewing through select posts.
Our Comments Policy
But before leaving a comment, please review these notes about our policy.
You are responsible for any comments you leave on this site.
This site is primarily a forum for discussion about the quality (or lack thereof) in journalism or other media messages (advertising, marketing, public relations, medical journals, etc.) It is not intended to be a forum for definitive discussions about medicine or science.
We will delete comments that include personal attacks, unfounded allegations, unverified claims, product pitches, profanity or any from anyone who does not list a full name and a functioning email address. We will also end any thread of repetitive comments. We don”t give medical advice so we won”t respond to questions asking for it.
We don”t have sufficient staffing to contact each commenter who left such a message. If you have a question about why your comment was edited or removed, you can email us at feedback@healthnewsreview.org.
There has been a recent burst of attention to troubles with many comments left on science and science news/communication websites. Read “Online science comments: trolls, trash and treasure.”
The authors of the Retraction Watch comments policy urge commenters:
We”re also concerned about anonymous comments. We ask that all commenters leave their full name and provide an actual email address in case we feel we need to contact them. We may delete any comment left by someone who does not leave their name and a legitimate email address.
And, as noted, product pitches of any sort – pushing treatments, tests, products, procedures, physicians, medical centers, books, websites – are likely to be deleted. We don”t accept advertising on this site and are not going to give it away free.
The ability to leave comments expires after a certain period of time. So you may find that you’re unable to leave a comment on an article that is more than a few months old.