Ambady, NaliniKoo, JasookRosenthal, RobertWinograd, Carol H.2009-08-192002Ambady, Nalini, Jasook Koo, Robert Rosenthal, and Carol H. Winograd. 2002. Physical therapists' nonverbal communication predicts geriatric patients' health outcomes. Psychology and Aging 17, no. 3: 443-452.0882-7974http://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:HUL.InstRepos:3219882Two studies explored the link between health care providers' patterns of nonverbal communication and therapeutic efficacy. In Study 1, physical therapists were videotaped during a session with a client. Brief samples of therapists' nonverbal behavior were rated by naive judges. Judges' ratings were then correlated with clients' physical, cognitive, and psychological functioning at admission, at discharge, and at 3 months following discharge. Therapists' distancing behavior was strongly correlated with short- and long-term decreases in their clients' physical and cognitive functioning. Distancing was expressed through a pattern of not smiling and looking away from the client. In contrast, facial expressiveness, as revealed through smiling, nodding, and frowning, was associated with short- and long-term improvements in functioning. In Study 2, elderly subjects perceived distancing behaviors of therapists more negatively than positive behaviors.en-US10.1037/0882-7974.17.3.443