Subjective response to neuroleptics and outcome in schizophrenia: a re-examination comparing two measures

Psychol Med. 1992 May;22(2):347-52. doi: 10.1017/s0033291700030282.

Abstract

The schizophrenic patient's early psychological response to neuroleptic treatment has been demonstrated to be a significant predictor of treatment response. The validity of the construct of subjective response is evaluated by comparison of two measures. Fifty-five recently admitted and unmedicated schizophrenic patients were randomly allocated to chlorpromazine or haloperidol. Subjective responses at 24 and 48 hours as assessed by two different scales, the Van Putten & May scale and the self-administered Drug Attitude Inventory, were strongly correlated with outcome at three weeks. Early emergence of extrapyramidal symptoms was not related to subjective response, but dysphoric patients had a greater incidence of EPS by the end of treatment than did non-dysphoric patients. The two measures showed high concordance in identification of early drug dysphoria.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Comparative Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Anxiety Disorders / drug therapy
  • Anxiety Disorders / psychology
  • Chlorpromazine / therapeutic use*
  • Depressive Disorder / drug therapy
  • Depressive Disorder / psychology
  • Female
  • Haloperidol / therapeutic use*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / statistics & numerical data*
  • Psychometrics
  • Schizophrenia / drug therapy*
  • Schizophrenic Psychology*

Substances

  • Haloperidol
  • Chlorpromazine