Frontiers in Psychiatry (Feb 2015)

The longitudinal course of gross motor activity in schizophrenia – within and between episodes

  • Sebastian eWalther,
  • Katharina eStegmayer,
  • Helge eHorn,
  • Luca eRampa,
  • Nadja eRazavi,
  • Thomas Jörg Müller,
  • Werner eStrik

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2015.00010
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 6

Abstract

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Schizophrenia is associated with heterogeneous course of positive and negative symptoms. In addition reduced motor activity as measured by wrist actigraphy has been reported. However, longitudinal studies of spontaneous motor activity are missing. We aimed to explore whether activity levels were stable within and between psychotic episodes. Furthermore, we investigated the association with the course of negative symptoms. In 45 medicated patients we investigated motor behavior within a psychotic episode. In addition, we followed 18 medicated patients across two episodes. Wrist actigraphy and psychopathological ratings were applied. Within an episode symptoms changed but activity levels did not vary systematically. Activity at baseline predicted the course of negative symptoms. Between two episodes activity recordings were much more stable. Again, activity at the index episode predicted the outcome of negative symptoms. In sum, spontaneous motor activity shares trait and state characteristics, the latter are associated with negative symptom course. Actigraphy may therefore become an important ambulatory instrument to monitor negative symptoms and treatment outcome in schizophrenia.

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