Scale for the evaluation of communication disorders in patients with schizophrenia: A validation study
Received 18 January 2005; accepted 30 January 2005.
Abstract
Objective
A scale for the evaluation of communication disorders in patients with schizophrenia (Schizophrenia Communication Disorder Scale-SCD) is proposed based on studies showing that cognitive disorders specific to the disorganization seen in schizophrenia consist of context processing deficits and problems in the attribution of mental states. Thus the focus of this scale is on the cognitive difficulties revealed in conversation during a structured interview.
Method
Fifty-six patients with schizophrenia, depression or mania were evaluated.
Results and conclusion
Significantly elevated scores on the SCD were present in patients with schizophrenia compared to all other groups. Thus, this scale adds to the tools available for evaluating the language of patients with schizophrenia and helps focus on characteristics that are specific to this psychotic diagnosis.
aDepartment of Psychiatry, Centre Hospitalier de Versailles, Le Chesnay, France
bUniversity of Versailles-Saint Quentin, Versailles, France
Corresponding author. Service de Psychiatrie, Centre Hospitalier de Versailles, 177 rue de Versailles, 78150 Le Chesnay, France. Tel.: +33 1 39 63 93 80; fax: +33 1 39 63 95 34.
ABSTRACT