Facial activation control effect (FACE)

Abstract

The present study was the first in line of a series of experiments investigating the possibilities of using voluntarily produced physiological signals in computer-assisted therapy. The current aim was to find out whether computer-guided voluntary facial activations have an effect on autonomous nervous system activity. Twenty-seven participants performed a series of voluntary facial muscle activations, while wireless electrocardiography and subjective experiences were recorded. Each task consisted of activating either the corrugator supercilii muscle (activated when frowning) or the zygomaticus major muscle (activated when smiling) at one of three activation intensities (i.e. low, medium, and high). Our results showed a voluntary facial activation control effect (FACE) on psychological (i.e. level of experience) and physiological activity. Different muscle activations produced both task-specific emotional experiences and significant changes in heart rate and heart rate variability. Low intensity activations of both muscles were the most effective, easy to perform, and pleasant. We conclude that the FACE can clearly open the route for regulating involuntary physiological processes. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2007.