Actigraphic registration of motor activity reveals a more structured behavioural pattern in schizophrenia than in major depression

Abstract

BackgroundDisturbances in motor activity pattern are seen in both schizophrenia and depression. However, this activity has rarely been studied objectively. The purpose of the present study has been to study the complexity of motor activity patterns in these patients by using actigraphy.FindingsMotor activity was recorded using wrist-worn actigraphs for periods of 2 weeks in patients with schizophrenia and major depression and compare them to healthy controls. Average motor activity was recorded and three non-parametric variables, interdaily stability (IS), intradaily variability (IV), and relative amplitude (RA) were calculated on the basis of these data. The motor activity was significantly lower both in patients with schizophrenia (153 ± 61, mean ± SD, p < 0.001) and depression (187 ± 84, p < 0.001), compared to controls (286 ± 80). The schizophrenic patients had higher IS and lower IV than the controls reflecting a more structured behavioural pattern. This pattern was particularly obvious in schizophrenic patients treated with clozapine and was not found in depressed patients.ConclusionsMotor activity was significantly reduced in both schizophrenic and depressed patients. However, schizophrenic patients differed from both depressed patients and controls, demonstrating motor activity patterns marked by less complexity and more structured behaviour. These findings may indicate that disturbances in motor activity reflect different pathophysiological mechanisms in schizophrenia compared to major depression.

Activity monitoring in patients with depression: A systematic review

“…Following data extraction 8 papers were excluded: 3 for having no interpretable data (Iverson, 2004;Ueda et al, 2005;Wolff, III et al, 1985), two conference abstracts with insufficient data (Deoras et al, 2010;Kelly et al, 2009), two for inappropriate comparisons (Lemke et al, 1998;Mendlowicz et al, 1999) and one as an exploratory study of non-linear dynamic measures of variability (Hauge et al, 2011). This left 19 papers from 16 studies suitable for detailed comparison Baune et al 2007;Berle et al, 2010;Coffield and Tryon, 2004;Faurholt-Jepsen et al, 2012;Foster et al, 1978;Glod et al 1992;Godfrey and Knight, 1984;Haynes et al, 2006;Joffe et al, 2009;Korszun et al, 2002;Raoux, 1994;Royant-Parola et al, 1986;Teicher et al, 1997;Todder et al, 2006;Todder et al, 2007;Volkers et al, 2002;Volkers et al, 2003;Winkler et al, …”

Selection, Use and Psychometric Properties of Physical Activity Measures to Assess Individuals with Severe Mental Illness: A Narrative Synthesis

“…1 study validated the RT3 accelerometer Sharpe et al, 2006a. 16 studies used as part or in full an OBM to capture physical activity Berle, Hauge, Oedegaard, Holsten, & Fasmer, 2010;Farrow, Hunter, Wilikinson, Green, & Spence, 2005;Gothelf et al, 2002;Hauge, Berle, Oedegaard, Holsten, & Fasmer, 2011;Janney et al, 2008;Jerome et al, 2009;McCormick et al, 2009;McCormick et al, 2008;McKibbin et al, 2006;Scheewe, 2008;Scheewe et al, 2011;Sharpe et al, 2006a;Wichniak et al, 2011;Yamamoto et al, 2011. 19 studies utilised SRQs Archie et al, 2007Arbour, Faulkner, & Cohn, 2010;Brown, Birtwistle, Roe, & Thompson, 1999, Brown, Goetz, Van Sciver, Sullivan, & Hamera, 2006Dubbert et al, 2006;Ellingrod et al, 2011;Elmslie, Mann, Silverstone, Williams, & Romans, 2001;Faulkner et al, 2006;Lassenigus, kerlind, Wiklund-Gustin, Arman, & Söderlund, 2013;Lindamer et al, 2008;McLeod, Jaques, & Deane, 2009;Osborn, Nazareth, & King, 2007;Ratliff et al, 2012;Ussher, 2003;Ussher, Doshi, Sampuran, & West, 2011;Van Citters et al, 2010;Vancampfort, Probst, Knapen, Carraro, & De Hert, 2012.…”

Ambulatory sleep-wake patterns and variability in young people with emerging mental disorders

“…32 Other actigraphy studies have observed lowered activity levels in patients with depression or schizophrenia compared with healthy controls, with more pronounced differences in those with schizophrenia and particularly those taking antipsychotic medication. 13,[33][34][35] Bipolar disorder has also been associated with higher variability in activity patterns and a phase advanced peak of the activity-rest cycle. 34,35 However, no study has yet investigated multiday sleep-wake and activity profiles across more than 2 diagnostic groups.…”