The impact of tricyclic antidepressants and selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors on handwriting movements of patients with depression

Tucha, Oliver and Aschenbrenner, Steffen and Eichhammer, Peter and Putzhammer, Albert and Sartor, Heino and Klein, Helmfried E. and Lange, Klaus W. (2002) The impact of tricyclic antidepressants and selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors on handwriting movements of patients with depression. PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY, 159 (2). pp. 211-215. ISSN 0033-3158

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Abstract

Rationale: Psychomotor retardation is a common symptom of patients with major depressive disorder. While a variety of clinical examinations using different techniques have been undertaken to assess the motor component of psychomotor retardation in depression, the effects of antidepressants on psychomotor functions have been examined less extensively. Objective: The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of various pharmacological treatments on handwriting movements of patients with depression. Methods: Kinematic data of automated handwriting movements of 18 depressed patients receiving tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), 18 patients on selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and 18 healthy subjects was recorded and analysed. Groups were matched according to age, sex, handedness and education level. For the assessment of fine motor movements, a digitising tablet was used. Subjects were asked to perform a simple writing task. Movement time, velocity and acceleration of the handwriting movements were measured. Results: Statistical analysis of writing movements revealed motor slowing in patients receiving TCAs. In comparison with both healthy subjects and patients receiving SSRIs, the TCA group displayed an increased movement time, reduced automation of handwriting, lower maximum velocities and reduced acceleration of descending strokes. Conclusions: The results suggest either that TCAs have adverse effects on motor functioning or that they are less effective in the treatment of motor retardation than SSRIs.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: PSYCHOMOTOR RETARDATION; MOTOR RETARDATION; FLUOXETINE; SERTRALINE; handwriting; depression; movement analysis; kinematic analysis
Subjects: 100 Philosophy & psychology > 150 Psychology
600 Technology > 610 Medical sciences Medicine
Divisions: Medicine > Lehrstuhl für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie
Human Sciences > Institut für Psychologie > Lehrstuhl für Psychologie III (Biologische, Klinische und Rehabilitationspsychologie) - Prof. Dr. Klaus W. Lange
Depositing User: Dr. Gernot Deinzer
Date Deposited: 22 Nov 2021 07:14
Last Modified: 22 Nov 2021 07:14
URI: https://pred.uni-regensburg.de/id/eprint/40830

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