Study on prospective memory in schizophrenia patients with alexithymia

Abstract

Objective To investigate the event-based prospective memory(EBPM)and time-based prospective memory(TBPM)in schizophrenia patients with alexithymia, and to provide theoretical basis for early intervention and treatment. Methods According to inclusion standard, 30 schizophrenia patients with alexithymia and 30 schizophrenia patients without alexithymia matched in age, gender and education were assessed with a neuropsychological battery of tests including EBPM and TBPM tasks. Results In the EBPM task, there was no significant difference between schizophrenia patients with and without alexithymia (3.80±0.85 vs 4.10±0.71, t=-1.485, P=0.143). A statistically significant in TBPM was observed between schizophrenia patients with and without alexithymia (3.33±1.09 vs 3.93±0.83, t=-2.397, P=0.02). Conclusion The schizophrenia patients with alexithymia have more severe time-based prospective memory impairment than those without alexithymia. Key words: Alexithymia; Schizophrenia; Prospective Memory