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Analyzing Non-verbal Behavior Throughout Recovery in a Sample of Depressed Patients Receiving Deep Brain Stimulation.
Micaela V McCall1, Patricio Riva-Posse1, Steven J Garlow2
1Emory University School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences.
Neurology, Psychiatry, and Brain Research
|July 24, 2020
Summary
Non-verbal behaviors in depression treatment, like reactivity and engagement, were quantified using an ethogram. These behaviors changed over time and correlated with symptom severity, offering insights beyond self-report measures.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Neuroscience
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Traditional depression scales lack non-verbal behavior assessment.
- Non-verbal behaviors may indicate recovery in depression.
- Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) is a treatment for depression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between non-verbal behaviors and depression symptom severity.
- To examine non-verbal behavior changes in patients undergoing DBS treatment for depression.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of videotaped clinical interviews from 12 patients undergoing DBS treatment.
- Assessment of 42 non-verbal behaviors using an ethogram at three time points.
- Collection of Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS-17) scores.
Main Results:
- Non-verbal behaviors were grouped into 'react', 'engage/fidget', and 'disengage' factors.
- These factors showed distinct changes over time during DBS treatment.
- Increased reactivity and engagement behaviors correlated with decreased BDI scores.
Conclusions:
- Non-verbal behavior can be reliably quantified using ethograms.
- Quantified non-verbal behaviors provide distinct information compared to self-report measures.
- Non-verbal behavior assessment may offer valuable insights into depression treatment and recovery.
