Gesture Performance in Schizophrenia Predicts Functional Outcome After 6 Months

Walther, Sebastian; Eisenhardt, Sarah; Bohlhalter, Stephan; Vanbellingen, Tim; Müri, René Martin; Strik, Werner; Stegmayer, Katharina (2016). Gesture Performance in Schizophrenia Predicts Functional Outcome After 6 Months. Schizophrenia bulletin, 42(6), sbw124. Oxford University Press 10.1093/schbul/sbw124

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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.

Item Type:

Journal Article (Original Article)

Division/Institute:

04 Faculty of Medicine > University Psychiatric Services > University Hospital of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy
10 Strategic Research Centers > ARTORG Center for Biomedical Engineering Research > ARTORG Center - Gerontechnology and Rehabilitation
04 Faculty of Medicine > University Psychiatric Services > University Hospital of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy > Translational Research Center
04 Faculty of Medicine > Department of Head Organs and Neurology (DKNS) > Clinic of Neurology
04 Faculty of Medicine > University Psychiatric Services > University Hospital of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy > Management

UniBE Contributor:

Walther, Sebastian, Eisenhardt, Sarah, Bohlhalter, Stephan, Vanbellingen, Tim, Müri, René Martin, Strik, Werner, Stegmayer, Katharina Deborah Lena

Subjects:

600 Technology > 610 Medicine & health
500 Science > 570 Life sciences; biology

ISSN:

0586-7614

Publisher:

Oxford University Press

Language:

English

Submitter:

Vanessa Vallejo

Date Deposited:

21 Sep 2016 08:54

Last Modified:

05 Dec 2022 14:58

Publisher DOI:

10.1093/schbul/sbw124

PubMed ID:

27566843

Uncontrolled Keywords:

hand gestures; negative symptoms; nonverbal communication; psychosis; social perception

BORIS DOI:

10.7892/boris.87781

URI:

https://boris.unibe.ch/id/eprint/87781

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