FaReWell Depression – a randomized controlled trial of a physiotherapeutic program for the facial rehabilitation of wellbeing in depression - Scorecard - MDSpire

FaReWell Depression – a randomized controlled trial of a physiotherapeutic program for the facial rehabilitation of wellbeing in depression

  • By

  • M. Axel Wollmer

  • Hannah Lemke

  • Patricia Waldvogel

  • Insa Neumann

  • Kayleigh Keller

  • Veronika Nölle

  • Nathalie Dittmer

  • Maksim Lucic

  • Barbara Walss

  • Tillmann H.C. Krüger

  • Josef Hättenschwiler

  • May 25, 2026

  • 0 min

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Clinical Scorecard: Facial Rehabilitation for Depression: Results from a Randomized Controlled Trial of the FaReWell Program

At a Glance

CategoryDetail
ConditionDepression
Key MechanismsFacial feedback mechanisms modulate affective states; botulinum toxin A disrupts proprioceptive afferences from facial muscles.
Target PopulationPatients with mild to moderate depression
Care SettingClinical trial setting

Key Highlights

  • FaReWell Depression program includes facial muscle relaxation and strengthening exercises.
  • Significant reduction in depression severity observed in the intervention group after six weeks.
  • No significant differences in secondary outcome measures like anhedonia and facial self-perception.

Guideline-Based Recommendations

Diagnosis

  • Use the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) for assessment.

Management

  • Consider non-pharmacological interventions such as the FaReWell Depression program.

Monitoring & Follow-up

  • Monitor changes in MADRS scores over time.

Risks

  • Potential for variability in individual responses to facial rehabilitation techniques.

Patient & Prescribing Data

Patients with mild to moderate depression.

Daily 15-minute sessions of facial rehabilitation may improve depressive symptoms.

Clinical Best Practices

  • Incorporate facial physiotherapeutic interventions as adjunctive treatment for depression.
  • Evaluate patient progress using standardized depression rating scales.

Related Resources & Content

Original Source(s)

FaReWell Depression – a randomized controlled trial of a physiotherapeutic program for the facial rehabilitation of wellbeing in depression

  • by M. Axel Wollmer, Hannah Lemke, Patricia Waldvogel, Insa Neumann, Kayleigh Keller, Veronika Nölle, Nathalie Dittmer, Maksim Lucic, Barbara Walss, Tillmann H.C. Krüger, Josef Hättenschwiler

  • May 25, 2026

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