Long-Stay Psychiatric Patients: A Prospective Study Revealing Persistent Antipsychotic-Induced Movement Disorder

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess the frequency of persistent drug-induced movement disorders namely, tardive dyskinesia (TD), parkinsonism, akathisia and tardive dystonia in a representative sample of long-stay patients with chronic severe mental illness. METHOD: Naturalistic study of 209, mainly white, antipsychotic-treated patients, mostly diagnosed with psychotic disorder. Of this group, the same rater examined 194 patients at least two times over a 4-year period, with a mean follow-up time of 1.1 years, with validated scales for TD, parkinsonism, akathisia, and tardive dystonia. RESULTS: The frequencies of persistent movement disorders in the sample were 28.4% for TD, 56.2% for parkinsonism, 4.6% for akathisia and 5.7% for tardive dystonia. Two-thirds of the participants displayed at least one type of persistent movement disorder. CONCLUSIONS: Persistent movement disorder continues to be the norm for long-stay patients with chronic mental illness and long-term antipsychotic treatment. Measures are required to remedy this situation

Preliminary validation of a new clinical tool for identifying problem video game playing

Research has estimated that between 6 to 13% of individuals who play video games do so excessively. However, the methods and definitions used to identify “problem” video game players often vary considerably. This research presents preliminary validation data for a new measure of problematic video game play called the Problem Video Game Playing Test (PVGT). Two studies were conducted: an online survey of 373 university student video game players, and a paper-and-pencil survey of 416 video game players from video game outlets and LAN businesses. This paper presents the internal consistency, score distribution, convergent validity and dimensionality of the PVGT. The PVGT demonstrates potential as a continuous measure of problem video game playing. Future research should investigate the use of the PVGT as a clinical instrument for screening individuals whose video game playing may be considered excessive or personally detrimental.Daniel Luke King, Paul H. Delfabbro and Ian T. Zaja