Researchers have proposed that blocking facial feedback via glabellar-region botulinum toxin injections (GBTX) can reduce depression. Random-effects meta-analyses of studies that administered GBTX to individuals with depression indicate that, 6 weeks postintervention, GBTX groups were significantly less depressed compared to placebo groups (d = 0.83) and pretreatment levels (d = 1.57). However, we noted the following concerns: (a) effect sizes were extraordinarily large, (b) authors failed to provide information to compute 51% of relevant effect sizes, (c) 96% of effect sizes came from studies conducted by investigators with conflicts of interest, (d) there is some evidence of publication bias, and (e) studies used ineffective blinding procedures. These considerations suggest that confidence in GBTX as a treatment for depression is premature.

中文翻译：

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通过肉毒杆菌毒素注射阻断面部反馈是否可以减轻抑郁症？批判性审查和荟萃分析

研究人员提出，通过注射双侧区肉毒杆菌毒素（GBTX）来阻止面部反馈可以减少抑郁症。对抑郁症患者进行GBTX研究的随机效应荟萃分析表明，干预后6周，与安慰剂组（d = 0.83）和治疗前水平（d = 1.57）相比，GBTX组的抑郁症明显更少。但是，我们注意到以下问题：（a）效应量过大；（b）作者未能提供信息来计算51％的相关效应量；（c）96％的效应量来自于有冲突的调查员的研究（d）有一些证据表明出版有偏见，并且（e）研究使用无效的盲法程序。这些考虑表明，对GBTX作为抑郁症治疗的信心还为时过早。