title: Physical therapists' nonverbal communication predicts geriatric patients' health outcomes.
abstract: Two studies explored the link between health care providers' patterns of nonverbal communication and therapeutic efficacy. In Study 1, physical therapists were videotaped during a session with a client. Brief samples of therapists' nonverbal behavior were rated by naive judges. Judges' ratings were then correlated with clients' physical, cognitive, and psychological functioning at admission, at discharge, and at 3 months following discharge. Therapists' distancing behavior was strongly correlated with short- and long-term decreases in their clients' physical and cognitive functioning. Distancing was expressed through a pattern of not smiling and looking away from the client. In contrast, facial expressiveness, as revealed through smiling, nodding, and frowning, was associated with short- and long-term improvements in functioning. In Study 2, elderly subjects perceived distancing behaviors of therapists more negatively than positive behaviors.
authors.affiliation: Harvard U.
authors.forename: Nalini
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ambady
authors.affiliation: Harvard U.
authors.forename: Jasook
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Koo
authors.affiliation: U California.
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rosenthal
authors.affiliation: Stanford U.
authors.forename: Carol H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Winograd
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009633:Nonverbal Communication; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations