Citation

Grabowski K, Rynkiewicz A, Lassalle A, Baron-Cohen S, Schuller B, Cummins N, Baird AE, Podgórska-Bednarz J, Pieniążek A, Łucka I. Psychiatry Clin. Neurosci. 2019; 73(2): 50-62.

Affiliation

Developmental Psychiatry, Psychotic and Geriatric Disorders Clinic, Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Gdansk, Poland.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/pcn.12799

PMID

30565801

Abstract

AIM: Emotional expressions are one of the most widely studied topics in neuroscience, both from clinical and non-clinical perspective. Atypical emotion expressions are seen in various psychiatric conditions including schizophrenia, depression and autism spectrum conditions. Understanding the basics of emotions expressions and recognition can be crucial for diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. Emotions can be expressed in the face, gesture, posture, voice, behaviour and effect physiological parameters such as the heart rate or the body temperature. With modern technology clinicians can use a variety of tools ranging from sophisticated laboratory equipment to smartphones and web cameras. The aim of this paper is to review currently used tools using modern technology and discuss their usefulness as well as possible future directions in emotional expression research and treatment strategies.

METHODS: Authors conducted a literature review using keywords: "emotions", "emotional expression", "affective computing", "autism" in PubMed, EBSCO and SCOPUS databases. Most relevant and up to date publications were identified and discussed. Search results were supplemented by authors own research in the field of emotional expression.

RESULTS: We present a critical review of currently available technical diagnostic and therapeutic methods. The most important studies are summarized in a table.

CONCLUSIONS: Most of currently available methods have not been adequately validated in clinical setting. They may be a great help in everyday practice, however they need further testing. Future directions in this field include more virtual-reality based and interactive interventions as well as development and improvement of humanoid robots. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Language: en

Keywords

affective computing; autism; emotions; expressed emotion; nonverbal communication