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Catatonia Associated with Psychosis: A Retrospective Study of 164 Inpatients
Timothy R Moore1, Tamara D Almeyda2, Edward K Silberman3
1Moore, Department of Psychiatry, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
Psychopharmacology Bulletin
|June 10, 2026
Summary
This study found that patients with catatonia improved more when treated without antipsychotic medications. Treatment without antipsychotics led to better outcomes for both catatonic and psychotic symptoms.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Clinical Neuroscience
Background:
- Catatonia is a neuropsychiatric syndrome characterized by motor abnormalities and behavioral changes.
- Antipsychotic medications are sometimes used in catatonia treatment, but their efficacy and impact on specific symptom domains remain debated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the differential treatment outcomes in inpatients with catatonia receiving antipsychotic medication versus those treated without.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective data collection from 164 inpatients diagnosed with catatonia.
- Comparison of treatment groups: Group A (antipsychotics + benzodiazepines/ECT) vs. Group B (benzodiazepines/ECT alone).
- Utilized Bush Francis Catatonia Rating Scale and Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (positive symptoms) for outcome assessment.
Main Results:
- Patients treated without antipsychotics showed significantly greater improvement in catatonic and positive psychotic symptoms compared to those receiving antipsychotics.
- Antipsychotic use was associated with higher symptom scores at discharge, even when patients were used as their own controls.
Conclusions:
- Catatonia treatment without antipsychotic medications may lead to superior clinical outcomes.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the role of antipsychotics in catatonia management.
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