Structured relaxation in the treatment of akathisia: case series

Abstract

Purpose: Akathisia remains a common side effect especially from antipsychotic medication.
If the condition is diagnosed the management options are limited.

Subjects/methodology: We tested a structured relaxation program on nine patients with a
diagnosis of schizophrenia suffering from akathisia. All patients were rated on Barnes Akathisia
Scale (BAS) before the relaxation program, immediately after and again one week later.

Results: The mean BAS score was before the relaxation 3.3 which reduced to 1.4 immediately
after to finally 1.0 a week later. A Wilcoxon signed ranks test revealed a significant reduction in
BAS score from baseline to endpoint (P = 0.026; Z = -2.232) and a highly significant reduction
from baseline to follow-up (P = 0.008; Z = -2.636).

Discussion: Although the study has a number of limitations the relaxation program appears
to be a promising alternative to traditional treatment of akathisia. The patients appreciated the
relaxation session but none of them managed to carry it out on their own without professional
encouragement. The findings in this case series warrant further investigation with larger numbers
of patients.

More information

Identifiers

ORCID for David S. Baldwin: orcid.org/0000-0003-3343-0907

Catalogue record

Export record