Informing patients about tardive dyskinesia. Controlled trial of patient education.

BACKGROUND

This paper evaluates the effects on knowledge and clinical stability of an educational intervention about tardive dyskinesia.

METHOD

Fifty-six patients receiving antipsychotic maintenance completed a questionnaire assessing their knowledge about tardive dyskinesia. After random allocation to either an educational intervention or a control group, their knowledge was reassessed at six months.

RESULTS

Ninety-five per cent of patients completed the study. The study patients gained significantly more knowledge than the controls, who made modest gains. There were no significant differences in clinical outcome between the groups.

CONCLUSION

Patients can learn about serious toxic effects of antipsychotic treatment with a low risk of non-compliance. Discussion about tardive dyskinesia is necessary in the process of obtaining informed consent to treatment.