Can changes in eye-contacts predict therapeutic outcome in schizophrenic patients undergoing neuroleptic treatment? Results of a preliminary study

Pharmacopsychiatry. 1986 Nov;19(6):429-33. doi: 10.1055/s-2007-1017282.

Abstract

The proportion of interview time spent in eye-contacts was studied before the onset of and during neuroleptic treatment in a group of 24 male schizophrenic patients. A significant increase in eye-contacts after 14 days distinguished responders to neuroleptic treatment, while a tendency towards the same effect distinguished patients treated with haloperidol from those treated with perazine. Only in the subgroup of responders was there a significant relationship between increase in eye-contacts and reduction of psychopathologic symptoms, regardless of whether these values were compared for the same treatment days or whether early changes in eye-contacts were compared with final outcome of treatment after 28 days. Since the patient subgroups were rather small, the results should still be considered preliminary. A prospective study including more parameters of visual interaction, a larger patient sample, and a longer observation period is required.

MeSH terms

  • Antipsychotic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Eye Movements
  • Haloperidol / therapeutic use*
  • Humans
  • Interviews as Topic
  • Nonverbal Communication*
  • Perazine / therapeutic use*
  • Schizophrenia / drug therapy
  • Schizophrenia / physiopathology*
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Antipsychotic Agents
  • Perazine
  • Haloperidol