title: Antipsychotic medication for challenging behaviour in people with learning disability.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The term 'challenging behaviour', in the absence of psychiatric disorder, encompasses a wide range of behaviours that may be harmful to people or property, may be difficult to manage and may limit access to community facilities. Antipsychotic medications have been used to modify such behaviours in people with learning disability, but there is little evidence to suggest that the benefits outweigh the risks.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine the effectiveness of antipsychotic medication for people with learning disability and challenging behaviour.
  
  
  METHODS
  Biological abstracts, the Cochrane Library, the Cochrane Schizophrenia Group's Register, EMBASE, MEDLINE, PsycLIT were searched. Further references were sought from published trials and pharmaceutical companies. Trials were reliably identified and data extracted.
  
  
  METHODS
  All randomised controlled trials of antipsychotic medication versus placebo.
  
  
  METHODS
  Reviewers independently evaluated and analysed data on an intention to treat basis. Data were evaluated at 4 and 8 weeks as longer follow-up data were not available. Reviewers assumed that those subjects lost to follow-up had a bad outcome.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Only three randomised controlled trials could be included in the analyses. These provided no evidence of whether antipsychotic medication helps or harms adults with learning disability and challenging behaviour.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is limited data on this important issue and more research is urgently needed.
authors.affiliation: Oxfordshire Learning Disability Trust, Slade House, Horspath Driftway, Headington, Oxford, UK, OX3 7JH. Jane.b@btinternet.com
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Brylewski
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Duggan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007859:Learning Disabilities / Q000150:complications*; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012306:Risk
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents