Psychomotor dysfunction in shchizophrenic patients is a well founded observation. However, there are a few reports on the laboratory studies measuring pschomotor function systematically and reliably.
The authors investigated the test-retest reliability of motor test battery and also psychomotor function in schizophrenics(N=20) as compared to normal controls(N=20) with the motor test battery.
The motor test battery(Motorische Leistungsserie, MLS) is a computerized neuropsychological test battery, which measures minute motor skills such as aiming, tapping steadiness. line tracking, long and short pin insertion.
The test-retest reliability in normal controls(N=10) was presented and was found to be in acceptable ranges(ICC=0.51-0.85).
This study showed schizophrenics have psychomotor dysfunction compared to controls, though the interpretation of this finding must be cautious because the influences of antipsychotics were not well controlled in this preliminary study.
In conclusion, the results of this study suggest that the moter test battery is a useful and reliable tool in the researchies f unction in schizophrenia and also present that futher extended studies are meaningful and necessary.
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