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Affective Empathy in Behavioral Variant Frontotemporal Dementia: A Meta-Analysis
Andrew R Carr1,2, Mario F Mendez1,2,3,4
1V.A. Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, CA, United States.
Frontiers in Neurology
|June 28, 2018
Summary
Behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD) patients show significant affective empathy deficits, particularly in empathic concern. This study highlights the importance of assessing affective empathy in bvFTD.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychology
- Neurology
Background:
- Empathy deficits are a key symptom in behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD).
- Previous reviews focused on cognitive empathy, leaving affective empathy deficits understudied.
- No meta-analytic studies specifically addressed affective empathy in bvFTD.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the significance of affective empathy deficits in bvFTD.
- To synthesize existing research on affective empathy in bvFTD.
- To quantify the impact of bvFTD on affective empathy.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of studies measuring affective empathy in bvFTD.
- Inclusion criteria ensured standardized measurement of affective empathy.
- Meta-analysis of 10 selected studies meeting criteria.
Main Results:
- bvFTD patients exhibited a moderate impairment in affective empathy compared to controls (d = 0.98).
- Empathic concern, specifically, was significantly affected (d = 1.12).
- The Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI) revealed pronounced deficits.
Conclusions:
- This study provides robust evidence for affective empathy deficits in bvFTD.
- Increased attention is warranted for assessing affective empathy in bvFTD.
- Understanding affective empathy is crucial for characterizing bvFTD.
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