Understanding the temporal course of emotion elicitation and regulation is crucial, particularly in mood disorders like bipolar disorder. In this study, we analyze facial electromyography (EMG) data from euthymic bipolar patients (n=22) and matched healthy controls (n=22) to investigate the effects of emotion regulation strategies on facial muscle activity. Participants were instructed to view, reappraise, or distract while being presented with emotional stimuli (negative, positive, or neutral; the cognitive-emotion-regulation paradigm is described in Schönfelder et al., 2014).

Facial EMG activity (corrugator and zygomaticus muscles) was recorded and analyzed in 100-ms intervals. We hypothesize that emotional responses precede regulatory effects and predict group differences in timing. Euthymic bipolar patients may exhibit delayed regulation effects and heightened emotional reactivity compared to healthy controls. Specifically, emotion regulation effects in the corrugator may emerge later in bipolar patients, while emotional reactivity might occur earlier and more intensely. In the zygomaticus, we expect reduced or delayed regulation effects in bipolar patients.

The results will provide insights into the temporal dynamics of emotion regulation and its implications for mood disorders like bipolar disorder. Full results will be presented and discussed.