Empathy in 6–7-year-old children with ADHD: a facial electromyography approach.

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Title:	Empathy in 6–7-year-old children with ADHD: a facial electromyography approach.
Authors:	Deschamps, P. K. H. (AUTHOR), Coppes, L. (AUTHOR), Kenemans, L. (AUTHOR), Schutter, D. J. L. G. (AUTHOR), Matthys, W. (AUTHOR)
Source:	European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. Jun2010, Vol. 19, pS79-S79. 1/4p.
Abstract:	Introduction: A precondition for empathy is to perceive and mimic emotional expressions of others. Deficits in empathy have been reported in patients with disruptive behavior disorder (DBD). Preliminary studies suggest empathic deficits in attention deficit/ hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). However, facial mimicry studies in young children with ADHD with and without comorbid DBD are presently lacking. Aim: Empathic mimicry in young 6–7-year-old ADHD children with and without DBD was compared to healthy matched controls. Methods: Facial electromyographic activity (EMG) to the presentation of a series of dynamic emotional faces (i.e., happy, sad, fear and anger) was recorded in 49 participants aged 6–7 years. Results: ADHD children with and without DBD (n = 17) demonstrated lower facial EMG responses to sad faces as compared to healthy children (n = 32) (p = 0.01). No group differences were found for EMG responses to happy, fear and angry expressions (all p[0.30). Conclusion: The presently observed abnormal facial EMG responses to sad faces may suggest reduced empathic capacities in ADHD children with and without DBD that is already present at a relative early age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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Database:	Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection

Description
Abstract:	Introduction: A precondition for empathy is to perceive and mimic emotional expressions of others. Deficits in empathy have been reported in patients with disruptive behavior disorder (DBD). Preliminary studies suggest empathic deficits in attention deficit/ hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). However, facial mimicry studies in young children with ADHD with and without comorbid DBD are presently lacking. Aim: Empathic mimicry in young 6–7-year-old ADHD children with and without DBD was compared to healthy matched controls. Methods: Facial electromyographic activity (EMG) to the presentation of a series of dynamic emotional faces (i.e., happy, sad, fear and anger) was recorded in 49 participants aged 6–7 years. Results: ADHD children with and without DBD (n = 17) demonstrated lower facial EMG responses to sad faces as compared to healthy children (n = 32) (p = 0.01). No group differences were found for EMG responses to happy, fear and angry expressions (all p[0.30). Conclusion: The presently observed abnormal facial EMG responses to sad faces may suggest reduced empathic capacities in ADHD children with and without DBD that is already present at a relative early age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:	10188827
DOI:	10.1007/s00787-010-0117-5