Subjective reactions to neuroleptic treatment: Prediction of compliance?

Although neuroleptic medication reduces clinical symptoms of schizophrenia a high rate of relapses remain a problem in the treatment of schizophrenia. In part recidivism is caused by patients’ poor compliance with treatment, i.e. adherence to medical directives. In the context of a randomized double blind study, risperidone (n=22, no drop-outs) was compared to haloperidol (n=23, four drop-outs) regarding mood (Bf-S), subjective quality of life (MLDL-GI), social functioning (DAS-M) and compliance (structured interview). Measures were taken prior to medication onset, after one week as well as after one month of treatment. Only in the risperidone group, early (after one week) improvements in mood and physical aspects of subjective quality of life were significantly related to more frequent participation in therapeutical offers after one month. Consistent positive relations between subjective reactions to neuroleptic treatment and compliance did not emerge in the haloperidol-group.