Trends- A tool for recognition of emotions in neuropsychiatric disorders

Abstract

Defects in social cognition which includes Facial Emotion Recognition Deficits [FERD] have been consistently demonstrated in most neuropsychiatric disorders. Influences of culture, age & sex on emotional expression and perception necessitates that a tool standardized in the Indian population be developed to study these deficits in Indian patients. Four experienced and trained actors (one young male, one young female, one older male and one older female) emoted six basic emotions, namely happy, sad, fear, anger, surprise and disgust at two different intensities [i.e. high and low] along with neutral facial expressions. 52 still images and 28 video clips were obtained. These images were then validated by 51 students from various mental health disciplines and five qualified psychiatrists. On statistical analysis the tool was found to have good inter­rater agreement and internal consistency. TRENDS is a tool validated for use in the Indian population, which captures the full range and nature of emotional expressions akin to real life situations and can be utilized for future behavioral and functional imaging studies in Indian patients. Such research can give useful insights into the neurobiological basis of neuropsychiatric disorders and has important implications for improving socio-occupational functioning.