Gesture Performance in Schizophrenia Predicts Functional Outcome After 6 Months

anon79999497 · August 28, 2016, 11:23am

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Gesture Performance in Schizophrenia Predicts Functional Outcome After 6 Months.

S Walther, S Eisenhardt, S Bohlhalter, T Vanbellingen, R Müri, W Strik and K Stegmayer, Schizophrenia bulletin, 2016 11

The functional outcome of schizophrenia is heterogeneous and markers of the course are missing. Functional outcome is associated with social cognition and negative symptoms. Gesture performance and nonverbal social perception are critically impaired in schizophrenia. Here, we tested whether gesture performance or nonverbal social perception could predict functional outcome and the ability to adequately perform relevant skills of everyday function (functional capacity) after 6 months. In a naturalistic longitudinal study, 28 patients with schizophrenia completed tests of nonverbal communication at baseline and follow-up. In addition, functional outcome, social and occupational functioning, as well as functional capacity at follow-up were assessed. Gesture performance and nonverbal social perception at baseline predicted negative symptoms, functional outcome, and functional capacity at 6-month follow-up. Gesture performance predicted functional outcome beyond the baseline measure of functioning. Patients with gesture deficits at baseline had stable negative symptoms and experienced a decline in social functioning. While in patients without gesture deficits, negative symptom severity decreased and social functioning remained stable. Thus, a simple test of hand gesture performance at baseline may indicate favorable outcomes in short-term follow-up. The results further support the importance of nonverbal communication skills in subjects with schizophrenia.

Twang · August 28, 2016, 11:53am

It’s hard for me to understand why most people can’t talk without using constant gesturing. Why don’t they talk with their mouths?

Also I think gesturing is so culturally determined that the results must be questionable?

thedeepestdream · August 28, 2016, 12:03pm

Gesturing is a cross cultural phenomenon. Sure, Non verbal gestures can be related to cultural differences. But with sz they simply drop off at some point. I think it’s one of most upsetting symptoms. Psychosis is the absolute worst but then lack of expressiveness is a nightmare.