Are Patient Linguistic Tones Associated with Mental Health and Perceived Clinician Empathy?

Musculoskeletal specialists have the expertise to distinguish between (1) symptoms that correspond well with observed pathophysiology and (2) disproportionate or incongruent symptoms that may suggest mental and social health opportunities. There is evidence that patient verbal and nonverbal communication can help with this discernment. This study carried this line of research one step further by addressing whether patient linguistic tones, as assessed with use of Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count (LIWC), are associated with symptoms of depression and health anxiety. We also sought associations between both patient and clinician linguistic tones and patient-perceived clinician empathy.

A secondary analysis of transcripts of video and audio recordings of 109 adult patients seeking musculoskeletal specialty care was performed. Patients also completed questionnaires quantifying symptoms of depression (PROMIS [Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System] Depression computerized adaptive test), self-efficacy when in pain (Pain Self-Efficacy Questionnaire, 2-question version), symptoms of health anxiety (5-item Short Health Anxiety Inventory [SHAI-5]), and perceived clinician empathy (Jefferson Scale of Patient Perceptions of Physician Empathy [JSPPPE]). LIWC was used to detect the relative strength of various emotional tones, cognitive processes, and core drives and needs. Bivariate and multivariable regression analyses sought factors associated with symptoms of depression, symptoms of health anxiety, and patient perception of clinician empathy.

After accounting for demographic variables, there were no specific patient linguistic tones (e.g., sadness, positive emotions, negative emotions, anger, and the use of adjectives) associated with health anxiety and symptoms of depression, pain, self-efficacy, and patient-perceived clinician empathy. There were no clinician linguistic tones associated with perceived clinician empathy. There was no relationship between the sum of emotional words and symptoms of depression.

Musculoskeletal specialists cannot depend on people experiencing symptoms of psychological distress to verbally express their feelings.

Specialists may be more likely to identify important symptoms of psychological distress if they anticipate lower emotional expressiveness and are attentive to specific words, concepts, and mannerisms known to be associated with distress.