Effects of object size on unimanual and bimanual movements in patients with schizophrenia
Journal
American Journal of Occupational Therapy
Journal Volume
68
Journal Issue
2
Pages
230-238
Date Issued
2014
Author(s)
Abstract
Schizophrenia affects not only mental function but also movement. We compared the movement of patients with mild schizophrenia and healthy control participants during a bimanual assembly task and examined whether changes in object size affected unimanual and bimanual movements. Fifteen patients with schizophrenia and 15 age- and gender-matched control participants were instructed to bimanually reach for and assemble objects. We manipulated the object size for the left hand (large vs. small) and measured movement time, peak velocity, and bimanual synchronization to represent movement speed, forcefulness, and bimanual coordination. Patients with schizophrenia showed slower and less forceful unimanual movements and less coordinated bimanual movements than control participants. Increasing the object size elicited faster and more forceful unimanual movements and more coordinated bimanual movements in patients. The results suggest the need for movement rehabilitation in patients with schizophrenia and the possibility of manipulating object size to optimize patients' movements. These results benefit the practice of evidence-based therapy.
SDGs
Other Subjects
adult; article; female; hemispheric dominance; human; male; methodology; movement (physiology); occupational therapy; pathophysiology; psychomotor performance; schizophrenia; Adult; Female; Functional Laterality; Humans; Male; Movement; Occupational Therapy; Psychomotor Performance; Schizophrenia
Publisher
American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc
Type
journal article