Catatonia Spectrum: Validation of a Questionnaire Investigating Catatonia Spectrum

Abstract

AimA growing body of literature has demonstrated the utility of a dimensional perspective on mental disorders. The current study aims to determine the psychometric properties of the Catatonia Spectrum (CS), a new questionnaire specifically tailored to assess the spectrum of catatonia, from full blown forms to subthreshold ones.Methods86 adults with at least three symptom criteria for catatonia according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), 81 adults affected by borderline personality disorder (BPD), 104 adults with a diagnosis of major depressive disorder (MDD), and 105 subjects without mental disorders (CTL), were recruited from six Italian University Departments of Psychiatry and administered the: Bush-Francis Catatonia Rating Scale (BFCRS), Bush-Francis Catatonia Screening Instrument (BFCSI), and CS.ResultsCS scale demonstrated a high level of internal consistency and excellent test-retest reliability for total and domain scores. CS domain scores were positively and significantly correlated with each other (p < 0.001) with Pearson’s coefficients ranging from 0.337 to 0.663. All the CS domain scores were highly correlated with the CS total score. The correlation coefficients between CS and alternative measures of catatonia appeared all significant and positive. Significant differences among diagnostic groups on both CS domains and total scores were found. CS total scores increased significantly and progressively from the CTL, to the MDD and the BDP group, up to the catatonia group, which reported the highest value.ConclusionThe CS showed excellent internal consistency and test-retest reliability and strong convergent validity with alternative dimensional measures of catatonia. The questionnaire performed differently across the four diagnostic groups, with an increasing score gradient from healthy controls to patients with MDD, BPD and up to the catatonia group.

Investigating the relationship between autistic traits and symptoms and Catatonia Spectrum

“…In the validation study [ 34 ], the CS questionnaire demonstrated excellent internal consistency and test–retest reliability and strong convergent validity with alternative dimensional measures of catatonia, such as the Bush-Francis Catatonia Rating Scale and the Bush-Francis Catatonia Screening Instrument [ 35 ].…”

“…The Catatonia Spectrum (CS) is a self-assessment questionnaire that investigates nuclear, subthreshold, atypical and partial manifestations of the CS, referred to across the lifespan, divided into domains, and explored with a set of questions. The CS consists of 74 items and is divided into 8 domains: In the validation study [34], the CS questionnaire demonstrated excellent internal consistency and test-retest reliability and strong convergent validity with alternative dimensional measures of catatonia, such as the Bush-Francis Catatonia Rating Scale 35 and the Bush-Francis Catatonia Screening Instrument [35].…”

The Behavioral Mapping of Psychomotor Slowing in Psychosis Demonstrates Heterogeneity Among Patients Suggesting Distinct Pathobiology

“…Most recently, the novel questionnaire for catatonia spectrum has been introduced, which had acceptable agreements with expert ratings. 55 Next, instrumental measures tested gross motor behavior (physiology) using actigraphy and GAITRite. Patients with PS had lower activity levels than controls or patients without PS.…”

“…Future research might benefit from the development of dedicated self-report instruments. 55 Furthermore, in the current study, we focused on behavioral phenotyping of PS, and did not design the study to assess cognitive slowing. This important feature of PS should be included in future trials using cognitive assessments.…”

Paralyzed by Fear?—A Case Report in the Context of Narrative Review on Catatonia

“…It consists of 74 items and is divided into 8 domains: Stupor; Mutism; Stereotypes; Mannerisms; Negativism; Automatic obedience; Automatisms and Impulsivity. For each item there is a dichotomous answer “Yes” and “No” [ 28 ].…”