Effects of risperidone on aberrant behavior of persons with developmental disabilities: I. A double-blind crossover study using multiple measures.
The efficacy of the atypical antipsychotic risperidone was evaluated in the treatment of aberrant behavior (e.g., aggression, self-injury) in 20 individuals with developmental disabilities. A double-blind, crossover design was used to compare risperidone with placebo in a 22-week trial with a 6-month follow-up phase. Based on a 50% reduction in mean Aberrant Behavior Checklist--Community total scores, 50% of the participants were identified as responders. Naturalistic observations of a subset of five individuals showed that for 4 out of 5 participants, risperidone was effective in reducing aberrant behavior. Side effects included weight gain (84% of participants) and sedation (40% of participants). The advantages of conducting a comprehensive analysis of the effects of medication on aberrant behavior are discussed.
Zarcone
J R
JR
Schiefelbusch Institute for Life Span Studies, University of Kansas, Lawrence 66045-2903, USA. jzarcone@ukans.edu
Hellings
J A
JA
Crandall
K
K
Reese
R M
RM
Marquis
J
J
Fleming
K
K
Shores
R
R
Williams
D
D
Schroeder
S R
SR
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000374:Aggression / Q000187:drug effects*; D002648:Child; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018967:Risperidone / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016728:Self-Injurious Behavior / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D018967:Risperidone