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Effects of risperidone on aberrant behavior of persons with developmental disabilities: I. A double-blind crossover
J R Zarcone1, J A Hellings, K Crandall
1Schiefelbusch Institute for Life Span Studies, University of Kansas, Lawrence 66045-2903, USA. jzarcone@ukans.edu
Abstract:
The efficacy of the atypical antipsychotic risperidone was evaluated in the treatment of aberrant behavior (e.g., aggression, self-injury) in 20 individuals with developmental disabilities. A double-blind, crossover design was used to compare risperidone with placebo in a 22-week trial with a 6-month follow-up phase. Based on a 50% reduction in mean Aberrant Behavior Checklist--Community total scores, 50% of the participants were identified as responders. Naturalistic observations of a subset of five individuals showed that for 4 out of 5 participants, risperidone was effective in reducing aberrant behavior. Side effects included weight gain (84% of participants) and sedation (40% of participants). The advantages of conducting a comprehensive analysis of the effects of medication on aberrant behavior are discussed.
