[Psychometric studies of performance deficits in acute schizophrenic patients with special reference to gender]

19 male and 18 female schizophrenic inpatients were examined on cognitive, motor and sensorimotor performance and visual and speech related intellectual ability at the beginning and end of a therapeutic period of 4 weeks on the average. Speed of sensorimotor reaction time revealed a higher performance level with regard to male as compared to female patients. Reverse effects could be demonstrated with respect to precise motor reactions (pegboard). Starting at a higher level of performance female had an important decrease. Considering speed of unprecise movements (tapping) and tremor-parameter (steadiness) impairment of performance occurred in time course for both male and female. Especially simple tasks demanding speed to solve the problem and left-handed requirement are solved in a lower degree indicating impaired reception of information and hemispheric hyperactivation.