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

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.