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Spontaneous and posed facial expression in Parkinson's Disease

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 February 2009

Marcia C. Smith
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
Melissa K. Smith
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63130
Heiner Ellgring
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany

Abstract

Spontaneous and posed emotional facial expressions in individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD, n – 12) were compared with those of healthy age-matched controls (n = 12). The intensity and amount of facial expression in PD patients were expected to be reduced for spontaneous but not posed expressions. Emotional stimuli were video clips selected from films, 2–5 min in duration, designed to elicit feelings of happiness, sadness, fear, disgust, or anger. Facial movements were coded using Ekman and Friesen's (1978) Facial Action Coding System (FACS). In addition, participants rated their emotional experience on 9-point Likert scales. The PD group showed significantly less overall facial reactivity than did controls when viewing the films. The predicted Group X Condition (spontaneous vs. posed) interaction effect on smile intensity was found when PD participants with more severe disease were compared with those with milder disease and with controls. In contrast, ratings of emotional experience were similar for both groups. Depression was positively associated with emotion ratings, but not with measures of facial activity. Spontaneous facial expression appears to be selectively affected in PD, whereas posed expression and emotional experience remain relatively intact. (JINS, 1996, 2, 383–391.)

Type
Research Articles
Copyright
Copyright © The International Neuropsychological Society 1996

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