Fine motor dexterity is correlated to social functioning in schizophrenia

Objective: To identify neuropsychological domains, including fine motor dexterity, that are related to social functioning in schizophrenia. Method: Thirty-six DSM-IV schizophrenic subjects were assessed using the Purdue Pegboard test, the Modified Wisconsin Card Sorting test, the Tower of London, Schwartz' Reaction Time and Wechsler's Associate Learning and Digit Span tests. Social functioning was measured by the Social and Occupational Functional Assessment Scale. Results: Univariate regression analyses showed that the Purdue Pegboard, the Modified Card Sorting test, the Tower of London and Wechsler's Associate Learning subtest were significantly linked to social functioning. The best fitting multivariate model to explain social functioning included fine motor dexterity and executive functioning. Conclusion: Various neuropsychological measures correlated to social functioning, the correlation involving fine motor dexterity being the strongest one. Future studies of the prediction of social functioning in schizophrenia should include fine motor dexterity.