Psychosomatic Medicine 34:19-29 (1972)
© 1972 American Psychosomatic Society

Figure Drawings in Subjects Recovering from Poliomyelitis

¹ Upstate Medical Center, 750 E. Adams Street, Syracuse, New York 13210

The drawings of 32 patients tested during their recovery from poliomyelitis were compared with drawings from matched controls. Fifteen of these patients had a serious degree of permanent paralysis while 17 were functionally recovered. Drawings were scored for completeness, size, distortion and movement. The paralyzed group drew significantly smaller figures than did their controls, while the recovered group did not. Neither group represented their disabilities isomorphically. In fact, both the paralyzed and recovered groups showed significantly less distortion in the upper extremities than did their nondisabled controls. Unexpectedly, the paralyzed patients did not show less movement than their controls, although the recovered patients did. The author suggests that the lack of ambulation may be accountable for the demonstrated smallness in drawings of the paralyzed group. It is also suggested that in contrast to paraplegia, the presence of intact sensation following poliomyelitis promotes more realistic readaptation of body image.