Motor function in early onset schizophrenia-A 2-year follow-up study

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Developmental Psychology
• Psychiatry

Background:

• Motor symptoms are prevalent in schizophrenia spectrum disorders.
• Longitudinal studies on motor function in adolescents with schizophrenia, controlling for maturation, are lacking.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare fine and gross motor function in adolescents with schizophrenia and controls over two years using age-adjusted tests.
• To investigate clinical correlates of motor function changes in adolescents with schizophrenia.

Main Methods:

• 25 adolescents with schizophrenia and matched controls were assessed using age-adjusted motor function tests over two years.
• Statistical analyses included t-tests, Cohen's D, χ2 tests, and linear mixed models.
• Associations between motor function changes and predictors (age, sex, labor complications, childhood motor function, symptom severity, executive function, antipsychotics) were examined.

Main Results:

• Significant differences in motor function were observed between adolescents with schizophrenia and controls at follow-up.
• While overall motor scores remained stable, specific areas showed improvement in the schizophrenia group.
• Schizophrenia severity, sex, and IQ were associated with changes in motor function.

Conclusions:

• Findings support the neurodevelopment hypothesis of schizophrenia.
• Motor function assessment is crucial in adolescents with schizophrenia, revealing both stability and improvement patterns.