The ability of residual schizophrenics to perceive and recognize objects from a different viewpoint

Background

The study of the ability of residual schizophrenics to perceive that an object remains the same even when it is seen from a different viewpoint.

Materials and methods

Sixty-three residual schizophrenics participated in the study (28 men and 35 women). Their mean age was 59 years, mean education 6 years and they all lived in alternative residences of Thessalia for approximately 3,5 years. All the patients fulfilled the criteria of residual schizophrenia, according to ICD-10, as well as those of chronicity.

Method

The MMSE, the PANSS, the GAF, the TLC scale, as well as the Minimal Feature View Task from BORB Battery were administered to the participants.

Results

Spearman rank correlation was conducted. Significant association was found between sex and education [r = -0.282; n = 63; p < 0.05], age and negative scale of PANSS [r = 0.402; n = 60; p < 0.01], education and correct answers in BORB [r = 0.594; n = 63; p < 0.01], education and wrong answers in BORB [r = -0.594; n = 63; p < 0.01], education and MMSE [r = 0.749; n = 63; p < 0.01], education and GAF [r = 0.337; n = 63; p < 0.01], education and negative scale of PANNS [r = -0.298; n = 63; p < 0.05], education and TLC [r = -0.441 ; n = 60; p < 0.01], correct answers in BORB and MMSE [r = 0.688; n = 63; p < 0.01], correct answers in BORB and GAF [r = -0.572; n = 63; p < 0.01], correct answers in BORB and negative scale of PANSS [r = -0.419; n = 60; p < 0.01], correct answers in BORB and TLC [r = -0.422; n = 60; p < 0.01], total wrongs in BORB and MMSE [r = -0.688; n = 63; p < 0.01], total errors in BORB and GAF [r = -0.572; n = 63; p < 0.01], total errors in BORB and negative scale of PANSS [r = 0.419 ; n = 60; p < 0.01], total errors in BORB and TLC [r = 0.422 ; n = 60; p < 0.01], MMSE and GAF [r = 0.441 ; n = 63; p < 0.01], MMSE and negative PANSS [r = -0.304; n = 60; p < 0.05], MMSE and TLC scale [r = -0.503; n = 60; p < 0.01], GAF and negative PANSS [r = -0.398; n = 60; p < 0.01], GAF and general psychopathology of PANSS [r = -0.308; n = 60; p < 0.05], and finally, significant correlation was found between GAF scale and TLC [r = -0.609 ; n = 60; p < 0.01].

Discussion

The chronic schizophrenics, who reside in alternative residences, found difficulties when object constancy is required, in short, they lack the ability to perceive perspective. The patients gave more correct answers in BORB, when they had a better mental state score and a higher score in GAF, whereas low scores in PANSS and TLC scales correlated with more correct answers.