A double-blind placebo-controlled study of vitamin E treatment of tardive dyskinesia.
BACKGROUND
This study was designed to determine if vitamin E is effective in reducing the severity of abnormal movements in patients with tardive dyskinesia (TD).


METHODS
Thirty-five patients completed a double-blind placebo-controlled parallel-group study of vitamin E. Seventeen of the patients were randomly assigned to receive 800 IU b.i.d. of vitamin E and 18 were assigned to placebo for 2 months. Twenty-nine patients had a diagnosis of schizophrenia and 6 of mood disorder. Patients were assessed using modified versions of the Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale (mAIMS), Simpson-Angus Scale for extrapyramidal side effects, and Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale. Additionally, a subgroup of 23 patients were assessed using instrumental measurements of dyskinesia.


RESULTS
There was a significant reduction of dyskinesia in the vitamin E group, but not the placebo group, on both the mAIMS and the instrumental assessments. The overall reduction in mAIMS in the active group was 24%, with 5 (29%) of 17 patients demonstrating greater than 33% reduction in score. There was a greater reduction in mean mAIMS score (35%) with vitamin E in the subgroup of patients with TD for 5 years or less compared with the reduction (11%) in patients with TD for greater than 5 years. No change was observed in parkinsonism. In the patients with schizophrenia, there was a reduction in positive symptoms after vitamin E.


CONCLUSIONS
Vitamin E appears to be effective in reducing the severity of TD, especially in patients who have had TD for 5 years or less.
Lohr
J B
JB
San Diego VA Medical Center, CA 92161, USA.
Caligiuri
M P
MP
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004409:Dyskinesia, Drug-Induced / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010302:Parkinson Disease, Secondary / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D010808:Physical Examination; D010919:Placebos; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D010919:Placebos; D014810:Vitamin E