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. Met hod Fifty-six patients receiving antipsychotic maintenance completed a questionnaire assessing their knowledge about tardive dyskinesia. Aft er random allocation to either an educational intervention or a contro l group, their knowledge was reassessed at six months. Results Ninety- five per cent of patients completed the study. The study patients gain ed significantly more knowledge than the controls, who made modest gai ns. 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 noncompliance. Discussio n about tardive dyskinesia is necessary iii the process of obtaining i nformed consent to treatment.