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Clinical Characteristics of Akathisia

A Systematic Investigation of Acute Psychiatric Inpatient Admissions

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 January 2018

Walter M. Braude ,
Thomas R. E. Barnes  and
Sheila M. Gore
Walter M. Braude
Affiliation:
Psychiatric Research Unit, University of Cambridge Clinical School, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge CB2 2QE
Thomas R. E. Barnes
Affiliation:
Psychiatric Research Unit, University of Cambridge Clinical School, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge CB2 2QE
Sheila M. Gore
Affiliation:
MRC Biostatistics Unit, MRC Centre, Hills Road, Cambridge
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Summary

Assessment of drug-induced movement disorders was carried out regularly on 104 psychiatric patients requiring antipsychotic medication on admission to hospital. The data relevant to motor restlessness were subjected to a principal components' analysis. According to their component scores, patients were then classified into two main groups: an akathisia group and an illness-related-movement group, the former group showing the clinical and pharmacological characteristics expected of akathisia. Clinical features which distinguished between the two groups, and between grades of akathisia severity, were identified, so an objective, phenomenological description of the akathisia syndrome was possible. Our observations suggested two distinct types of acute akathisia; one related to severe parkinsonism and one not. The implications of these findings are discussed.

Type
Research Article
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 143 , Issue 2 , August 1983 , pp. 139 - 150
Copyright
Copyright © 1983 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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