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Cited by 118Down syndrome and intellectual disability researchSchizophrenia research and treatmentBehavioral and Psychological Studies

Antipsychotic medication for challenging behaviour in people with learning disability

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Brylewski, Jane, Duggan, Lorna·2004·Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
DOI 10.1002/14651858.cd000377.pub2PMC PMC12334078
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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. OBJECTIVES: To determine the effectiveness of antipsychotic medication for people with learning disability and challenging behaviour without additional mental illness. SEARCH STRATEGY: Biological Abstracts, the Cochrane Library, EMBASE, MEDLINE, PsycINFO and BIOSIS were searched. Further references were sought from published trials and pharmaceutical companies. Trials were reliably identified and data extracted. SELECTION CRITERIA: All randomised controlled trials of antipsychotic medication versus placebo. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Reviewers independently evaluated and analysed data on an intention to treat basis. Data were evaluated at 4, 8 and 12 weeks as longer follow-up data were not available. Reviewers assumed that those subjects lost to follow-up had a bad outcome. MAIN RESULTS: Only nine 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. REVIEWERS' CONCLUSIONS: There are limited data on this important issue and more research is urgently needed.

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  • There is currently insufficient evidence that antipsychotic medication is either helpful or harmful for adults with intellectual disability and challenging behaviour.

    “There is currently insufficient evidence that antipsychotic medication is either helpful or harmful for adults with intellectual disability and challenging behaviour (Brylewski 2004; Deb 2007a,b,c).”

    From Interventions for challenging behaviour in intellectual disability (2014) · cites this paper as Brylewski 2004

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Research works printed but not linked: 11

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Authors
Brylewski, J., & Duggan, L.
Affiliations
  • Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust (GB)
  • St Andrew’s Hospital (AU)
Venue
Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2004-07-19
Volume
2009
Issue
1
Pages
CD000377-CD000377
ISSN
  • 1361-6137 (ISSN-L)
  • 1465-1858
DOI
10.1002/14651858.cd000377.pub2
PMC
PMC12334078
OpenAlex
W2108463235
Cited by
118
References
73
Citations by year
2026: 2 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 5 · 2023: 1 · 2022: 1 · 2021: 4 · 2020: 2 · 2019: 5 · 2018: 6 · 2017: 4 · 2016: 5 · 2015: 5 · 2014: 5 · 2013: 9 · 2012: 9
FWCI
0.46
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Down syndrome and intellectual disability research
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Schizophrenia research and treatment
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Developmental and Educational Psychology › Behavioral and Psychological Studies
Keywords
antipsychotic drugs, behavioral problems, learning disabilities, adults with intellectual disabilities, adverse effects, placebo comparison
MeSH terms
Adult, Behavioral Symptoms, Dangerous Behavior, Humans, Learning Disabilities, Risk, Antipsychotic Agents, Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic

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