Is there a realtion between the way psychiatric patients perceive and experience their body and the way they walk?

IS THERE A RELATION BETWEEN THE WAY PSYCHIATRIC PATIENTS PERCEIVE AND EXPERIENCE THEIR BODY AND THE WAY THEY WALK? Background: Clinical assessment by physiotherapists working with psychiatric patients claims that both active and passive body movements are closely related to the psychological condition of the patients. Aim: To explore the relationship between gait patterns, self perception and experience of own body in psychiatric patients. Method: Movement was clinically assessed in psychiatric patients and healthy controls with the Comprehensive Body Examination. Body attitude and self perception were examined with an adjusted Body Attitude Test (BAT) and Qualitative Life World Interview. The sum scores from BAT will be compared within and between groups. The interviews were transcribed and analyzed according to Giorgi’s phenomenological method. This study is parallel with the abstract of Stensdotter et al for this conference. Results: Compared with healthy controls, the patients seemed to walk with a weak ankle push off, less trunk rotation and less arm swing. The patients reported more pain in different parts of the body, and anxiety related to somatic experiences like the body disappearing. They expressed concern about control, and fear of emotions arising in the body. Bodily dissatisfaction and a strong wish to change their body were widespread among patients. Their movement practice was limited and so was their social life. They spent much time sitting or lying and reported little pleasure related to their bodies. Conclusion: Examinations are in process, and it is too early to conclude how self perception and body experience relates to body movement. More data and a conclusion will be presented in February 2010.