The Effect of Benzodiazepines on Catatonia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Catatonia is a complex psychomotor syndrome associated with various psychiatric and somatic underlying disorders. Current treatment protocols include benzodiazepines and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). Despite their widespread use, systematic evidence regarding efficacy and optimal benzodiazepine dosage remains limited. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to evaluate the effectiveness of benzodiazepines in treating catatonia.

A comprehensive search of PubMed, Embase, APA PsychInfo, and Cochrane central identified studies reporting benzodiazepine treatment outcomes in catatonia. Screening and data extraction were done by two independent researchers. A targeted meta-analysis was performed on cases and studies that provided clear documentation of the Bush Francis Catatonia Rating Scale (BFCRS) scores before and after treatment, along with well-defined dosage regimens. Finally, the relationship between dosage and BFCRS improvement was explored.

Of 1336 screened articles, 53 met inclusion criteria. Most were case series using lorazepam (a benzodiazepine) to treat catatonia, with dosages ranging from 2 to 60 mg/day with a median dose of 8 mg/day. The overall remission rate was 55%; overall response was 77%. Treatment duration varied, but predominantly did not exceed 1 week. Our targeted analysis showed an overall effect of -11.88 points on the BFCRS when a benzodiazepine was used in the treatment of catatonia with a Cohen's d = -3.15. In a meta regression, no significant dose-response relationship was found.

Benzodiazepines are highly effective for treating catatonia, but optimal dosing remains unclear. The absence of a clear dose-effect relationship highlights the need for individualized treatment strategies and well-designed controlled studies to establish stronger evidence-based treatment guidelines.