article Closed Access EN 2009-05-04

Embodiment of Sadness and Depression—Gait Patterns Associated With Dysphoric Mood

Johannes Michalak, Nikolaus F. Troje, Julia Fischer, Patrick Vollmar, Thomas Heidenreich, Dietmar Schulte

Psychosomatic Medicine, Vol. 71, Issue 5, pp. 580–587 (2009)

Ruhr University Bochum, Esslingen University of Applied Sciences, Queen's University, University Hospitals of the Ruhr-University of Bochum

DOI: 10.1097/psy.0b013e3181a2515c PMID: 19414617

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Abstract

Objective: To analyze gait patterns associated with sadness and depression. Embodiment theories suggest a reciprocal relationship between bodily expression and the way in which emotions are processed. Methods: In Study 1, the gait patterns of 14 inpatients suffering from major depression were compared with those of matched never-depressed participants. In Study 2, we employed musical mood induction to induce sad and positive mood in a sample of 23 undergraduates. A Fourier-based description of walking data served as the basis for the computation of linear classifiers and for the analysis of gait parameters. Results: Gait patterns associated with sadness and depression are characterized by reduced walking speed, arm swing, and vertical head movements. Moreover, depressed and sad walkers displayed larger lateral swaying movements of the upper body and a more slumped posture. Conclusion: The results of the present study indicate that a specific gait pattern characterizes individuals in dysphoric mood. ANCOVA = analysis of covariance; BDI = Beck Depression Inventory; DSM = Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; MANOVA = multivariate analysis of variance; MDD = major depressive disorder; SCID = Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV; SNRI = serotonin noradrenalin reuptake inhibitors; SSRI = selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors.

Topics

Action Observation and Synchronization 0.48 Neuroscience and Music Perception 0.09 Music Therapy and Health 0.07

Field: Psychology · Subfield: Social Psychology

Keywords

Sadness,Gait,Mood,Psychology,Depression (economics),Physical medicine and rehabilitation,Affect (linguistics),Clinical psychology,Anger,Medicine

MeSH Terms

AdultAdultAdultDepressionDepressionDepressionDepressionDepression

UN Sustainable Development Goals

Good health and well-being (0.57)

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