Effects of sertraline on kinematic aspects of hand movements in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Résumé

RATIONALE: Movement disorders such as disturbances of fine motor co-ordination are a frequent phenomenon in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).OBJECTIVES: Our aim was to investigate changes of hand-motor dysfunction in OCD patients under the influence of 10-week treatment with sertraline and behaviour therapy.METHODS: We examined the performance of 40 patients satisfying DSM-IV criteria for OCD before and under this therapy using a digitising tablet and kinematic analysis of handwriting and drawing movements. Forty healthy controls were also tested (test-retest interval: 10 weeks).RESULTS: The speed of drawing was significantly lower in OCD patients than in controls (mean+/-standard deviation=197.03+/-113.26 mm/s for patients and 182.48+/-189.61 mm/s for controls; P=0.01). After 10 weeks of therapy, this parameter normalised in patients (from 197.03+/-113.26 mm/s to 163.66+/-101.92 mm/s; P=0.001).CONCLUSIONS: Hand-motor dysfunction (especially bradykinesia) improves with a serotonin-enhancing therapy in OCD patients.