Table 3.
Summary of Ekman 60-Faces Test and Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test according to presence and severity of alexithymia.
| Test | All Patients | Moderate-High Alexithymia | No-Alexithymia | Healthy Controls |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ekman 60-Faces | ||||
| Overall score | 46.9 ± 5.7 b | 46.1 ± 4.6 a,c | 47.6 ± 6.4 | 49.1 ± 5.1 |
| Happiness | 9.7 ± 0.7 | 9.8 ± 0.5 | 9.7 ± 0.8 | 9.8 ± 0.3 |
| Surprise | 9 ± 1.6 | 8.9 ± 1.3 | 9 ± 1.8 | 9.2 ± 0.9 |
| Anger | 7.1 ± 1.6 | 6.7 ± 1.5 a,d | 7.4 ± 1.5 | 7.6 ± 1.8 |
| Disgust | 8.5 ± 1.5 | 8.8 ± 1.3 | 8.3 ± 1.7 | 8.9 ± 1.2 |
| Sadness | 7.3 ± 1.6 | 6.7 ± 1.7 d | 7.7 ± 1.3 | 7.5 ± 1.6 |
| Fear | 5.3 ± 2.4 | 5.1 ± 2.2 | 5.4 ± 2.4 | 6.1 ± 2.4 |
| RME | 24 ± 6.1 | 22.6 ± 3.7 a | 24.8 ± 7.2 | 25.2 ± 4.3 |
| GHQ-12 | 3.2 ± 4.6 a | 4.1 ± 4.6 a | 2.7 ± 4.7 | 1.3 ± 2 |
GHQ-12 = General Health Questionnaire; RME = Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test. a p < 0.01 versus healthy controls; b p < 0.05 versus healthy controls; c p < 0.01 versus non-alexithymic patients; d p < 0.05 versus non-alexithymic patients.