Fine motor dexterity is correlated to social functioning in schizophrenia.
OBJECTIVE
To identify neuropsychological domains, including fine motor dexterity, that are related to social functioning in schizophrenia.


METHODS
Thirty-six DSM-IV schizophrenic subjects were assessed using the Purdue Pegboard test, the Modified Wisconsin Card Sorting test, the Tower of London, Schwartz' Reaction Time and Wechsler's Associate Learning and Digit Span tests. Social functioning was measured by the Social and Occupational Functional Assessment Scale.


RESULTS
Univariate regression analyses showed that the Purdue Pegboard, the Modified Card Sorting test, the Tower of London and Wechsler's Associate Learning subtest were significantly linked to social functioning. The best fitting multivariate model to explain social functioning included fine motor dexterity and executive functioning.


CONCLUSIONS
Various neuropsychological measures correlated to social functioning, the correlation involving fine motor dexterity being the strongest one. Future studies of the prediction of social functioning in schizophrenia should include fine motor dexterity.
Lehoux
Catherine
C
Centre de Recherche Université Laval Robert-Giffard, H-4100, 2601 chemin de la Canardière, G1J 2G3 Beauport, Québec, Canada.
Everett
James
J
Laplante
Louis
L
Emond
Claudia
C
Trépanier
Johanne
J
Brassard
Andrée
A
René
Linda
L
Cayer
Mireille
M
Mérette
Chantal
C
Maziade
Michel
M
Roy
Marc André
MA
D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D005260:Female; D007839:Functional Laterality / Q000502:physiology*; D018737:Hand Strength / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D012494:Sampling Studies; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D012920:Social Behavior Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology*