Profiles of nonverbal skills used by young pre-verbal children with autism on the ADOS-2: Relation to screening disposition and outcomes.

Autistic individuals exhibit differences in their use and understanding of nonverbal communication; however, individual patterns of nonverbal strengths and challenges vary significantly. This heterogeneity can complicate the diagnostic and screening processes and can result in delayed or missed diagnoses. In this study, we characterize various profiles of nonverbal communication skills among 215 pre-verbal children with autism (Mage = 36.27 months, range = 18-70) and explore how these profiles are related to screening outcomes, diagnostic certainty, and developmental and behavioral features. We conducted a latent class analysis of nine items assessing nonverbal communication skills from the Toddler Module and Module 1 of the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, 2nd Edition. Five nonverbal profiles were identified that differentiated children based on the form, function, and frequency of their nonverbal communication skills. Furthermore, screening outcomes and clinician certainty in autism diagnosis varied by nonverbal profile. False negative screening outcomes based on parent report were highest for children who used a range of nonverbal skills but with limited frequency or consistency. Clinicians, on the other hand, tended to have high certainty in an autism diagnosis for children with this profile, and instead rated their lowest certainty in diagnosing children who demonstrated consistent integration of eye contact with their nonverbal communication. The profiles identified in this study could be clinically useful in helping to identify children at highest likelihood of being overlooked during the screening or diagnostic processes, providing an opportunity to improve early identification and intervention for autism.

Enhancing emotional expression in cat-like robots: strategies for utilizing tail movements with human-like gazes.

In recent years, there has been a significant growth in research on emotion expression in the field of human-robot interaction. In the process of human-robot interaction, the effect of the robot's emotional expression determines the user's experience and acceptance. Gaze is widely accepted as an important media to express emotions in human-human interaction. But it has been found that users have difficulty in effectively recognizing emotions such as happiness and anger expressed by animaloid robots that use eye contact individually. In addition, in real interaction, effective nonverbal expression includes not only eye contact but also physical expression. However, current animaloid social robots consider human-like eyes as the main emotion expression pathway, which results in a dysfunctional robot appearance and behavioral approach, affecting the quality of emotional expression. Based on retaining the effectiveness of eyes for emotional communication, we added a mechanical tail as a physical expression to enhance the robot's emotional expression in concert with the eyes. The results show that the collaboration between the mechanical tail and the bionic eye enhances emotional expression in all four emotions. Further more, we found that the mechanical tail can enhance the expression of specific emotions with different parameters. The above study is conducive to enhancing the robot's emotional expression ability in human-robot interaction and improving the user's interaction experience.

Phenotyping variability in early socio-communicative skills in young children with autism and its influence on later development.

Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often face challenges in early social communication skills, prompting the need for a detailed exploration of specific behaviors and their impact on cognitive and adaptive functioning. This study aims to address this gap by examining the developmental trajectories of early social communication skills in preschoolers with ASD aged 18-60 months, comparing them to age-matched typically developing (TD) children. Utilizing the early social communication scales (ESCS), the research employs a longitudinal design to capture changes over time. We apply a principal component analysis (PCA) to ESCS variables to identify underlying components, and cluster analysis to identify subgroups based on preverbal communication profiles. The results reveal consistent differences in early social communication skills between ASD and TD children, with ASD children exhibiting reduced skills. PCA identifies two components, distinguishing objects-directed behaviors and social interaction-directed behaviors. Cluster analysis identifies three subgroups of autistic children, each displaying specific communication profiles associated with distinct cognitive and adaptive functioning trajectories. In conclusion, this study provides a nuanced understanding of early social communication development in ASD, emphasizing the importance of low-level behaviors. The identification of subgroups and their unique trajectories contributes to a more comprehensive understanding of ASD heterogeneity. These findings underscore the significance of early diagnosis, focusing on specific behaviors predicting cognitive and adaptive functioning outcomes. The study encourages further research to explore the sequential development of these skills, offering valuable insights for interventions and support strategies.

Speech-Gesture Matching and Schizotypal Traits: A Network Approach.

BACKGROUND AND HYPOTHESIS: Impaired speech-gesture matching has repeatedly been shown in patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders. Here, we tested the hypothesis that schizotypal traits in the general population are related to reduced speech-gesture matching performance and reduced self-reports about gesture perception. We further explored the relationships between facets of schizotypy and gesture processing in a network model. STUDY DESIGN: Participants (1094 mainly healthy adults) were presented with concrete or abstract sentences accompanied with videos showing related or unrelated gestures. For each video, participants evaluated the alignment between speech and gesture. They also completed self-rating scales about the perception and production of gestures (Brief Assessment of Gesture scale) and schizotypal traits (Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire-Brief 22-item version). We analyzed bivariate associations and estimated a non-regularized partial Spearman correlation network. We characterized the network by analyzing bridge centrality and controllability metrics of nodes. STUDY RESULTS: We found a negative relationship between both concrete and abstract gesture-speech matching performance and overall schizotypy. In the network, disorganization had the highest average controllability and it was negatively related to abstract speech-gesture matching. Bridge centralities indicated that self-reported production of gestures to enhance communication in social interactions connects self-reported gesture perception, schizotypal traits, and gesture processing task performance. CONCLUSION: The association between impaired abstract speech-gesture matching and disorganization supports a continuum between schizophrenia and schizotypy. Using gestures to facilitate communication connects subjective and objective aspects of gesture processing and schizotypal traits. Future interventional studies in patients should test the potential causal pathways implied by this network model.

Relative contributions of the face and body to social judgements: emotion, threat and status.

Do the nonverbal signals used to make social judgements differ depending on the type of judgement being made and what other nonverbal signals are visible? Experiment 1 investigated how nonverbal signals across three channels (face: angry/fearful, posture: expanded/contracted, lean: forward/backward), when viewed together, were used for judgements of emotion, threat, and status. Experiment 2 replicated Experiment 1 and explored how use of the body channels differed in making social judgements when the face channel was obscured. Both experiments found facial anger linked to high anger, threat, and status ratings; facial fear was linked to low ratings. Expanded body posture increased threat and status judgements, while backward lean decreased anger and threat. With the face channel blocked (Experiment 2B), the influence of body posture increased across emotion, threat, and status judgements, while body lean was more consistent. Findings demonstrate that despite the face's importance across types of social judgements, the body channels differentially contribute to judgements of emotion, threat and status. Further, they are differentially affected by the absence of facial information. How much face and body-related channels are used in social judgements is moderated by the type of judgement being made and the availability of other (particularly facial) channel information.

Nursing students' experience of approaching risk for suicide behaviour through simulated environments: A content analysis study.

BACKGROUND: Suicide is a major public health problem, especially among the young population. Nurses are in a unique position to prevent it due to their constant contact with patients. However, addressing suicidal behaviour can be complicated by the emotional responses it elicits. Simulation has been shown to be an effective tool to increase the self-confidence of nursing students in dealing with these sensitive situations in a safe environment prior to dealing with real patients. AIM: To explore nursing students' perceptions, thoughts, and emotions about their performance in dealing with risk for suicidal behaviour through simulated scenarios. DESIGN: Qualitative descriptive study. METHODS: Students of Mental Health and Psychiatric II in the third year of the Nursing course at the University of Málaga were invited to explain their experience by answering a questionnaire of three open-ended questions following their participation in the simulated scenarios of the course. RESULTS: A total of 72 students participated. Content analysis of the written responses identified three main themes: (i) Emotions experienced during the simulation; (ii) Self-criticism of the performance/intervention; (iii) Student evaluation of the learning experience. Most of the students indicated at some point during the clinical scenario, they had felt anxiety, proposing possible improvements in their own performance. The clinical scenario that elicited the most negative emotions was that of a person diagnosed with borderline personality disorder. CONCLUSION: Clinical simulations contribute to a better understanding of nursing practice with mental health patients and the need for training in emotional and therapeutic communication skills among students.

Nurses and the disabled child's perspective in the anaesthesia procedure preparation process using a picture schedule.

PURPOSE: This study's purpose was to investigate how nurses, using a picture schedule, enable or hinder the realization of disabled children's agency in the preparation for an MRI procedure carried out under general anaesthesia. METHODS: A qualitative observation study was used to explore the interaction of nurses and children. The data consisted of video recordings of 25 preparation situations of 3 (3-8 years old) children (with challenges in communication and/or cognitive skills) with 4 nurses. Verbal and nonverbal communication was analysed with interventionist applied conversation analysis. RESULTS: What was most crucial was how the picture schedule was used during the interaction. Reciprocal information sharing, responding to the child's initiatives by negotiating and allowing the child to take physical action with the picture schedule enabled the realization of the child's agency. CONCLUSIONS: The preparation process should aim to help the child prepare in his/her own way. The preparation tools should encourage reciprocal interaction in informing and in responding to the children's initiatives. The preparation practices should include enough time for the child's initiatives and physical participation. The results can be used in assessing preparation tools and how they are used from the perspective of the child's agency.

Sensorimotor regulation of facial expression - An untouched frontier.

Facial expression is a critical form of nonverbal social communication which promotes emotional exchange and affiliation among humans. Facial expressions are generated via precise contraction of the facial muscles, guided by sensory feedback. While the neural pathways underlying facial motor control are well characterized in humans and primates, it remains unknown how tactile and proprioceptive information reaches these pathways to guide facial muscle contraction. Thus, despite the importance of facial expressions for social functioning, little is known about how they are generated as a unique sensorimotor behavior. In this review, we highlight current knowledge about sensory feedback from the face and how it is distinct from other body regions. We describe connectivity between the facial sensory and motor brain systems, and call attention to the other brain systems which influence facial expression behavior, including vision, gustation, emotion, and interoception. Finally, we petition for more research on the sensory basis of facial expressions, asserting that incomplete understanding of sensorimotor mechanisms is a barrier to addressing atypical facial expressivity in clinical populations.

Physicians' attention to patients' communication cues can improve patient satisfaction with care and perception of physicians' empathy.

BACKGROUND: The pathway that links good communication skills and better health outcomes is still unclear. However, it is known that the way that physicians and patients communicate with each other has direct consequences on more "proximal outcomes", such as perceptions of physician empathy and patient satisfaction. However, which specific communication skills lead to those patient outcomes is still unknown. In this study, the authors aimed to analyze which specific patient and physician communication skills are correlated to patients' satisfaction with care and patient-perceived physician empathy. METHODS: The authors classified and quantified verbal and nonverbal communication of second-year internal medicine residents and their patients through video recordings of their consultations. Patients also rated their satisfaction with care and the physician's empathy for them. RESULTS: Using a linear regression model, the authors identified that patients' and physicians' expressions of disapproval, physicians' disruptions, and patients' use of content questions negatively correlated to patients' satisfaction and patient-perceived physician empathy. Conversely, patient affective behaviors and the physician's provision of advice/suggestion were positively correlated to at least one of the patient-measured outcomes. CONCLUSION: Our findings point to the importance of physicians' attentiveness to patients' communication cues. Training physicians to interpret those cues could help develop more satisfactory and empathic therapeutic relationships.

The use of nonverbal communication when assessing witness credibility: a view from the bench.

The aim of this article is to provide a better understanding of how, in practice, judges use nonverbal communication during bench trials. The article starts with an overview of legal rules on how judges are supposed to assess witness credibility and use nonverbal communication, and briefly addresses the impact of those rules on lower courts and the limited data about judges in bench trials. Subsequently, we present the methods and the results from an online survey carried out with Quebec judges. While a number of judges have beliefs consistent with the scientific literature, findings reported in this article show that many judges have beliefs inconsistent with the scientific literature, and many are silent on culture-related differences in nonverbal behavior. The article ends with a discussion on the implications of the results for scholars and practitioners, including why findings reported in this article are cause for concern for adversarial justice systems.

Pain assessment tools in adults with communication disorders: systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Verbal communication is the "gold standard" for assessing pain. Consequently, individuals with communication disorders are particularly vulnerable to incomplete pain management. This review aims at identifying the current pain assessment instruments for adult patients with communication disorders. METHODS: A systematic review with meta-analysis was conducted on PubMed, PEDRO, EBSCOhost, VHL and Cochrane databases from 2011 to 2023 using MeSH terms "pain assessment, "nonverbal communication" and "communication disorders" in conjunction with additional inclusion criteria: studies limited to humans, interventions involving adult patients, and empirical investigations. RESULTS: Fifty articles were included in the review. Seven studies report sufficient data to perform the meta-analysis. Observational scales are the most common instruments to evaluate pain in individuals with communication disorders followed by physiological measures and facial recognition systems. While most pain assessments rely on observational scales, current evidence does not strongly endorse one scale over others for clinical practice. However, specific observational scales appear to be particularly suitable for identifying pain during certain potentially painful procedures, such as suctioning and mobilization, in these populations. Additionally, specific observational scales appear to be well-suited for certain conditions, such as mechanically ventilated patients. CONCLUSIONS: While observational scales dominate pain assessment, no universal tool exists for adults with communication disorders. Specific scales exhibit promise for distinct populations, yet the diverse landscape of tools hampers a one-size-fits-all solution. Crucially, further high-quality research, offering quantitative data like reliability findings, is needed to identify optimal tools for various contexts. Clinicians should be informed to select tools judiciously, recognizing the nuanced appropriateness of each in diverse clinical situations. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This systematic review is registered in PROSPERO (International prospective register of systematic reviews) with the ID: CRD42022323655 .

Patterns of Verbal and Nonverbal Communication During Sex.

Sexual communication functions as an important relational process expediating satisfying sexual experiences (Sprecher & Hendrick, 2004). Much of the existing literature on sexual communication concerning sexual pleasure biases verbal communication (Babin, 2012). This study adds to the existing research regarding patterns of communication surrounding sex and during sex through qualitative analysis. Further, this inquiry focused on participants' full histories, rather than their tendencies within any current relationship. We analyzed 78 qualitative interview transcripts from participants between the ages of 18 and 69. Participants reported a reluctance to communicate anything but pleasure, discomfort, or dislike during sex to avoid discouraging their partners. Though participants reported a perception that communicating pleasure served as encouragement and affirmation to their partners, most preferred to communicate pleasure nonverbally. Some participants reported a tendency to communicate pain or dislike verbally. Some preferred communication about sexual topics only before or after sexual activities. Participants shared that a high level of comfort with their partner increased sexual communication. How sexual partners communicate sex not only affects pleasure but can only affect intimacy between partners and health. This adds to the scant literature on nonverbal communication during sex and some people's preference for that style (Blunt-Vinti et al., 2019).

Older adults' communication with an interactive humanoid robot : Expectations and experiences of older adults in verbal and nonverbal communication with a socially interactive humanoid robot: a mixed methods design in Germany.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: One possible approach to counter singularization and loneliness of older adults is the development and implementation of socially interactive robots. Little is known about the expectations and experiences of older adults with socially interactive humanoid robots. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In a mixed-methods design study, user expectations before interaction and the experience and evaluation of verbal and non-verbal communication after interaction with a robot were assessed. Semi-structured interviews were conducted after the interaction. RESULTS: The majority of older adults expected verbal communication. After the interaction the evaluation of the quality of verbal communication differed. Participants did not expect any form of nonverbal communication. Nonverbal communication was highlighted as particularly positive. Gestures, facial expressions, and body movements were described as confidence building. CONCLUSION: The robot's ability to communicate nonverbally might positively influence older adults' experience of communication with the robot. In the development of socially interactive robots non-verbal communication should be given more consideration in order to contribute to successful human-robot interaction.

Trofinetide Treatment Demonstrates a Benefit Over Placebo for the Ability to Communicate in Rett Syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Trofinetide was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of Rett syndrome (RTT) in March 2023. Benefiting the ability to communicate in RTT is often identified as the most important caregiver goal for new therapies. This analysis reports the communication-related end points from the phase 3 LAVENDER study of trofinetide in RTT. METHODS: Females with RTT, aged five to 20 years, were randomized 1:1 to trofinetide or placebo for 12 weeks. Secondary efficacy end points related to communication were based on change from baseline to week 12 and included the caregiver-rated Communication and Symbolic Behavior Scales Developmental Profile™ Infant-Toddler Checklist (CSBS-DP-IT) Social Composite score (key secondary end point; scores ranged from 0 to 26 [higher scores indicated better communication]) and novel clinician rating scales (0 [normal] to 7 [severe impairment]) measuring the ability to communicate choices nonverbally (RTT-COMC) and verbally (RTT-VCOM). RESULTS: Trofinetide demonstrated a statistically significant difference versus placebo for the CSBS-DP-IT Social Composite score (least squares mean [LSM] difference = 1.0; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.3 to 1.7; P = 0.0064; Cohen's d effect size = 0.43) and a nominally significant difference for the RTT-COMC (LSM difference: -0.3; 95% CI, -0.6 to -0.0; P = 0.0257; Cohen's d effect size = 0.36). As expected, there was no difference for the RTT-VCOM. CONCLUSIONS: Significant treatment benefit for trofinetide versus placebo was observed in scales measuring the ability to communicate. These scales may be appropriate for future clinical studies in RTT and other neurodevelopmental disorders.

Descriptive Analysis of Social Interaction and Communication Skills of Autistic Children According to Sibling Status and Characteristics.

OBJECTIVE: Sibling relationships in early childhood can have a positive impact on children's social interaction and communication skills. Similarly, autistic children can benefit from interactions with their siblings, who can serve as readily available partners for social interaction. However, there is a lack of research on the effects of siblings based on specific characteristics of the sibling. Therefore, the aim of this study is to compare social interactions and communication skills of autistic children based on sibling status and characteristics. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective data review involving 895 autistic children and their siblings at Seoul National University Bundang Hospital. Variety of diagnostic assessments or questionnaires were administered. Based on the characteristics of the data, Quade's test for nonparametric analysis of covariance was used to compare autism-related symptoms and levels of functioning of the autistic child according to 1) sibling status, 2) birth order, 3) sex, and 4) diagnosis of the sibling. Pearson correlation was used to explore associations between the sibling age gap and different clinical scores. RESULTS: Having siblings was associated with fewer difficulties in restricted and repetitive behaviors. Based on the comparison of the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised scores, autistic children with multiple siblings demonstrated better nonverbal behaviors. Autistic children with autistic siblings experienced greater difficulties in social interactions and communications, such as peer relationships, sharing enjoyment, and engaging in social imitative play. CONCLUSION: The study revealed differences in social interactions and communication skills of autistic children based on sibling status, birth order, affected sibling, age gap, and sex.

Best practices for communication while wearing facemasks: A scoping review.

INTRODUCTION: Facemasks are an important piece of personal protective equipment (PPE) to mitigate the spread of respiratory illnesses, but they can impede communication between patients and healthcare providers. The purpose of this scoping review is to identify effective communication practices while wearing facemasks. DESIGN: Scoping review using a systematic search of articles from the PubMed, CINAHL, and Embase databases. METHODS: The PEO (population, exposure, outcome) methodology was selected for this systematic scoping review. The population of interest (P) includes humans of all ages (children, adults, and older adults); the exposure of interest (E) is PPE that covers the mouth (i.e., facemasks); and the outcome of interest (O) is successful or unsuccessful communication practices. The Johns Hopkins Evidence-Based Practice for Nurses and Healthcare Professionals appraisal guidelines were used to determine the level and quality of the research. RESULTS: Thirty-nine articles met the inclusion criteria. Seventeen of these were high- or good-quality research studies, and the remaining 22 were non-research articles included with separate analysis as part of the scoping review. The 17 articles encompassed 2656 participants. The highest quality evidence indicated that standard surgical masks have the least impact on speech perception compared to other non-transparent mask types, and that recognizing emotions is less accurate with facemasks, necessitating compensatory actions (i.e., reducing extraneous noise, using a microphone to amplify voice, and employing clear speech). Evidence was contradictory regarding the use of transparent masks. Evidence was of limited quality for other non-verbal and verbal communication strategies. CONCLUSION: Awareness of communication challenges is crucial when wearing facemasks. More high-quality studies are needed to evaluate communication techniques when speakers are wearing facemasks. Basic strategies such as selecting an appropriate mask type, reducing extraneous noise, using microphones, verbalizing emotions, and employing clear speech appear to be beneficial. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The findings of this scoping review highlight the importance of considering communication challenges while wearing facemasks in the healthcare settings. The review suggests that selecting an appropriate mask type, reducing extraneous noise, verbalizing emotions, and employing clear speech are some strategies that may be effective in mitigating the impact of facemasks on communication between patients and healthcare providers.

Use of pointing in parent-child interactions by hearing children of deaf and hearing parents: A follow-up from 1- to 3-years of age.

Pointing plays a significant role in communication and language development. However, in spoken languages pointing has been viewed as a non-verbal gesture, whereas in sign languages, pointing is regarded to represent a linguistic unit of language. This study compared the use of pointing between seven bilingual hearing children of deaf parents (Kids of Deaf Adults [KODAs]) interacting with their deaf parents and five hearing children interacting with their hearing parents. Data were collected in 6-month intervals from the age of 1;0 to 3;0. Pointing frequency among the deaf parents and KODAs was significantly higher than among the hearing parents and their children. In signing dyads pointing frequency remained stable, whereas in spoken dyads it decreased during the follow-up. These findings suggested that pointing is a fundamental element of parent-child interaction, regardless of the language, but is guided by the modality, gestural and linguistic features of the language in question.

[Pictograms for assessing pain quality in foreign language-speaking patients: a quality improvement study]. / Piktogramme zur Erfassung der Schmerzqualität bei fremdsprachigen Patient_innen.

Pictograms for assessing pain quality in foreign language-speaking patients: a quality improvement study Abstract. Background: Numerical assessment instruments allow foreign language patients to quantify their pain. However, for a complete assessment of the pain situation, the description of pain quality is also important. Problem: To assess pain quality completely, the treatment team lacked a tool. Objective: Foreign language-speaking patients can communicate their pain to the treatment team and are actively involved in the treatment process. The treatment team develops tools for recording the quality of pain and reflects on their experiences. Method: In a practice development project, pictograms of the Iconic Pain Assessment Tool 2 (IPAT2) where chosen to assess pain quality. The pictograms were prepared for everyday use, tested, and evaluated. Results: With the help of pictograms, quality of pain of 72 patients was documented almost 50% more frequently than before the study. The nursing team experienced IPAT2 as helpful in obtaining information and deepening the quality of the relationship. A feeling of being seen and understood emerged. Discussion: Pictograms are a valid method for nonverbal pain assessment. However, there is a risk of misunderstanding. The study only allowed an external assessment of patient's perceptions. An empirical investigation of the patient's view would be desirable. Conclusions: Further use and development of pictograms for communicating with foreign language-speaking patients are recommended.

Physicians' attention to patients' communication cues can improve patient satisfaction with care and perception of physicians' empathy

ABSTRACT Background The pathway that links good communication skills and better health outcomes is still unclear. However, it is known that the way that physicians and patients communicate with each other has direct consequences on more "proximal outcomes", such as perceptions of physician empathy and patient satisfaction. However, which specific communication skills lead to those patient outcomes is still unknown. In this study, the authors aimed to analyze which specific patient and physician communication skills are correlated to patients' satisfaction with care and patient-perceived physician empathy. Methods The authors classified and quantified verbal and nonverbal communication of second-year internal medicine residents and their patients through video recordings of their consultations. Patients also rated their satisfaction with care and the physician's empathy for them. Results Using a linear regression model, the authors identified that patients' and physicians' expressions of disapproval, physicians' disruptions, and patients' use of content questions negatively correlated to patients' satisfaction and patient-perceived physician empathy. Conversely, patient affective behaviors and the physician's provision of advice/suggestion were positively correlated to at least one of the patient-measured outcomes. Conclusion Our findings point to the importance of physicians' attentiveness to patients' communication cues. Training physicians to interpret those cues could help develop more satisfactory and empathic therapeutic relationships.

Reconhecimento de emoções pela voz e expressão facial por estudantes de medicina / Recognition of emotions by voice and facial expression by medical students

RESUMO Objetivo avaliar a capacidade de estudantes de medicina para reconhecer emoções pela voz e expressão facial, por meio de avaliações de percepção emocional da entonação vocal e das expressões faciais. Métodos estudo com delineamento transversal observacional. Para avaliação do reconhecimento de emoções pelas expressões faciais, utilizou-se um teste composto por 20 vídeos de microexpressões faciais e, para avaliação do reconhecimento emocional pela voz, utilizou-se o Protocolo de Reconhecimento de Emoções Prosódicas Básicas, baseado no banco de dados de Burkhardt. Para análise estatística, foram utilizados os testes de Friedman, Shapiro-Wilk, teste t de Student ou Mann-Whitney e o coeficiente de correlação de Pearson ou Spearman. Resultados o estudo foi composto por 38 alunos, com média de idade de 20,8 (±2,5). O reconhecimento de emoções pela voz foi significativamente superior, comparado com os resultados do teste de reconhecimento de emoções pelas expressões faciais. Houve correlação positiva entre a idade e a habilidade de reconhecer emoções pelas expressões faciais. O gênero masculino apresentou taxa significativa de acertos, superior ao gênero feminino na habilidade de reconhecer emoções pela expressão facial. As emoções com maior média de acertos pela expressão facial foram surpresa, alegria e desprezo, enquanto, por meio da voz, as emoções foram raiva, medo e tristeza. Conclusão a capacidade de reconhecimento de emoções por estudantes de medicina foi maior na avaliação de percepção emocional por meio da voz.

ABSTRACT Purpose To evaluate the ability of medical students to recognize emotions through voice and facial expression through assessments of emotional perception of vocal intonation and functional expressions. Methods Observational cross-sectional study. To evaluate the recognition of emotions by facial expressions, a test composed of 20 videos of facial microexpressions was used, and to evaluate the emotional recognition by voice, the protocol of prosodic impressions of basic emotions, based on the Burkhardt database, was used. For statistical analysis, the Friedman, Shapiro-Wilk, Student t, Mann-Whitney and Pearson or Spearman correlation coefficient tests were used. Results The study consisted of 38 students, with an average age of 20.8 (±2.5). The recognition of emotions through the voice was significantly superior to the one through facial expressions. There was a positive correlation between age and the ability to recognize emotions through facial expressions. Males had a significantly higher hit rate than females in the ability to recognize emotions through facial expression. The emotions with the highest average success rates through facial expression were surprise, joy and contempt, while, through the voice, the emotions were anger, fear and sadness. Conclusion The ability to recognize emotions by medical students was greater when assessing emotional perception through the voice.