The related factors between the positive and negative syndrome scale (PANSS) and the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) in schizophrenic patients

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to clarify which psychiatric symptoms affect the results in the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) in schizophrenic patients. In a six month period, we selected 29 schizophrenic volunteers in a large psychiatric teaching hospital in Taiwan according to DSM-III-R. The psychiatrists and psychologists collected basic data and evaluated every volunteer's psychiatric symptoms using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and the computerized Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) in three days. Twenty-four schizophrenic volunteers completed all examinations. We used SPSS 7.0 for Windows for data analysis. The results showed significant, positive correspondence between the WCST categories (1) trial to complete first category and the respective PANSS categories(1) G15. Preoccupation. Furthermore, the results which used stepwise analysis multiple regression showed P3 halluciatory behavior, N4. apathetic/social withdrawal positive scales, and S5 grandiosity in the PANSS could predict categories completed in the WCST; disorientation, N2. emotional withdrawal, and Positive scales in the PANSS could predict Perseverative Responses in the WCST; N4, Apathetic/Social Withdrawal in the PANSS could predict Number of Errors, and Percent Conceptual Level Responses in the WCST. Furthermore, G15. Preoccupation in the PANSS could predict Trial to Complete First Category in the WCST. Only Positive scales in the subscales of the PANSS could predict the results of WCST.