Effects of typical antipsychotic drugs and risperidone on the quality of sleep in patients with schizophrenia: a pilot study.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effects of a newer antipsychotic drug, risperidone (a potent serotonin 5-HT2A/2C and dopamine D2-receptor blocker), on the quantity and quality of sleep in patients with schizophrenia.


METHODS
Prospective pilot study.


METHODS
Outpatient treatment at a mental health hospital.


METHODS
Two groups of age- and sex-matched patients with schizophrenia receiving either risperidone (n = 8) or a typical antipsychotic drug (n = 8), and a group of age- and sex-matched controls (n = 8).


METHODS
Sleep quality, measured by a visual analogue scale, and sleep continuity, measured using a movement index calculated from actigraph data.


RESULTS
Patients with schizophrenia had more disturbed sleep than controls. Compared with patients treated with typical antipsychotic drugs, patients treated with risperidone reported significantly better sleep quantity and quality as well as general functioning.


CONCLUSIONS
Improvement by risperidone may be related to 5-HT2A/2C receptor blockade; however, further controlled studies are required to confirm these results.
Dursun
S M
SM
Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Leicester, UK. sdursun@is.dal.ca
Patel
J K
JK
Burke
J G
JG
Reveley
M A
MA
D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018967:Risperidone / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012890:Sleep / Q000187:drug effects*
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D018967:Risperidone