Table 2.
Empathic traits and behavioural results on the fMRI task
| Group; mean ± SD | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
||||
| Trait/result | Schizophrenia (n = 27) | Control (n = 21) | Statistical comparison | p value |
| Empathic traits (IRI) | ||||
| Empathic concern | 26.4 ± 3.9 | 26.2 ± 4.0 | t = −0.18 | p = 0.86 |
| Personal distress | 18.0 ± 5.2 | 14.9 ± 4.8 | t = −2.13 | p = 0.039 |
| Fantasy | 21.4 ± 6.1 | 20.6 ± 4.3 | t = −0.53 | p = 0.60 |
| Perspective taking | 25.4 ± 4.3 | 27.9 0 ± 2.9 | t = 2.27 | p = 0.028 |
| Mean pain ratings (out of 100)* | p < 0.001 | |||
| Pain other | 63.4 ± 15.0 | 65.5 ± 10.9 | ||
| Pain self | 61.5 ± 13.3 | 63.5 ± 15.2 | ||
| No pain other | 4.9 ± 7.3 | 3.5 ± 5.6 | ||
| No pain self | 4.7 ± 5.3 | 3.5 ± 5.6 | ||
| Mean response time, ms* | p < 0.001 | |||
| Pain other | 2470.5 ± 465.3 | 2453.5 ± 440.9 | ||
| Pain self | 2501.6 ± 404.9 | 2412.3 ± 393.5 | ||
| No pain other | 2002.0 ± 407.0 | 1842.7 ± 234.6 | ||
| No pain self | 2168.4 ± 431.7 | 1886.9 ± 267.7 | ||
IRI = Interpersonal Reactivity Index; SD = standard deviation.
*
Data available for 26 patients.