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Treatment in Psychiatry

Treatment in Psychiatry begins with a hypothetical case illustrating a problem in current clinical practice. The authors
review current data on prevalence, diagnosis, pathophysiology, and treatment. The article concludes with the authors'
treatment recommendations for cases like the one presented.

Chronic Restlessness With Antipsychotics

Irene M. Bratti, M.D. to describe two patients who experienced restlessness and
an inability to sit still. In contemporary usage, akathisia re-
John M. Kane, M.D. fers to a drug-induced movement disorder. Akathisia pre-
sents as a syndrome of motor restlessness, usually in the
Stephen R. Marder, M.D. lower extremities, that is often (but not always) accompa-
nied by a subjective sense of inner restlessness, an urge to
move, and anxiety or dysphoria (3).
Most cases of akathisia are acute and are dose related
(Table 1). Chronic akathisia is defined as akathisia persist-
Mr. B is a 34-year-old man with a 13-year ing more than 3 months after the last antipsychotic dosage
history of schizophrenia. His early treat- change; it does not address acuity of onset (4). Tardive
ment consisted of brief trials of first-gen- akathisia has a delayed onset, with symptoms beginning 3
eration antipsychotics, which he refused months or more after medication initiation or dosage in-
to take for any significant period of time. crease (4). Some patients, such as the patient presented in
He was then started on risperidone at an the clinical vignette, demonstrate an “unmasking” or
ave rage of 5 m g/day. W it hin a fe w worsening of symptoms with drug withdrawal and an im-
months, he and his mother noticed that provement with dosage increase. This is often referred to
he had upper and lower extremity tremor as “withdrawal akathisia” (4). Tardive akathisia often per-
and profound motor restlessness, espe-
sists even in the absence of antipsychotic medication.
cially of the legs. These symptoms wors-
Burke et al. (5) reported akathisia persisting for an average
ened until Mr. B was taken off risperidone
of 2.7 years in 26 patients whom they followed after dis-
and started on olanzapine, after which
continuation of antipsychotic medications.
the tremor resolved, but the restlessness
persisted. Mr. B’s discomfort was so se-
vere that he was unable to sit through a Epidemiology of Akathisia
15-minute medication management ap- The published epidemiological data for akathisia are
pointment without getting up and pacing largely limited to treatment periods that preceded the wide-
the room. His mother noted that the rest- spread use of second-generation antipsychotics. Sachdev
lessness lasted throughout the day, re- (6) reported an incidence rate of acute akathisia of 31% for
lenting only when he slept. Mr. B stated
100 patients treated for 2 weeks with antipsychotic medica-
that he could not stay still for more than
tions. He suggested that “a conservative estimate of inci-
a few minutes at a time and that he had
dence of [acute] akathisia with classical neuroleptics at
an irresistible urge to move, which led
him to pace the house and neighborhood clinical dosage levels is … 20%–30%” (6, 7). In a review of
until the soles of his feet were bleeding. the literature on chronic akathisia, Sachdev (8) reported a
Mr. B’s mother also reported that when prevalence rate ranging from 0.1% to 41%. Barnes and
the restlessness was at its worst, he was Braude (3) reported a prevalence rate of about 33% for
extremely irritable, easily agitated, and chronic akathisia in a group of outpatients with schizophre-
sometimes violent. nia. Presumably the rates are lower in the current treatment
climate because of the lower risk of akathisia with second-
generation antipsychotics.

Pathophysiology of Akathisia in
Acute and Tardive Akathisia Schizophrenia
Akathisia is one of the most common acute movement The pathophysiology of akathisia is poorly understood,
disorders (1), but it also exists in chronic and tardive but it appears to differ from that of extrapyramidal symp-
forms. These akathisia variants are less well recognized toms. The prevailing hypothesis for both is that the symp-
but are equally—and sometime more—debilitating to pa- toms are due to antipsychotic-induced dopamine D2 re-
tients. The word “akathisia” (derived from Greek, literally ceptor occupancy above a threshold of 80% (9). However,
meaning “not to sit”) was first used in 1901 by Haskovec (2) in individual patients there is not a clear relationship be-

This article is featured in this month’s AJP Audio.

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TREATMENT IN PSYCHIATRY

tween the severity of akathisia and other extrapyramidal TABLE 1. Diagnostic Criteria for Akathisiaa
symptoms, such as rigidity and tremor. This suggests that Required for diagnosis
the striatonigral dopamine pathway involved in the Exposure to medications or drugs that can cause akathisia, includ-
ing first-generation antipsychotics, second-generation antipsy-
pathophysiology of extrapyramidal symptoms is unlikely chotics, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, lithium, bus-
to be the main pathway in akathisia (10). Cholinergic and pirone, amoxapine, and calcium channel blockers
adrenergic pathways may play a mediating role (10); in Presence of characteristic subjective and/or objective features of
both cases, the majority of available evidence for their in- akathisia
Absence of other known causes of akathisia symptoms, including
volvement comes from the clinical utility of anticholin- restless legs syndrome, Parkinson’s disease, and subthalamic le-
ergic and antiadrenergic (β2 antagonists) medications in sions. Absence of peripheral neuropathy, myelopathy, or myopa-
improving akathisia (10). Similarly, second-generation an- thy.
Diagnosis
tipsychotics with high cholinergic receptor affinities carry Acute akathisia: symptoms begin within 6 weeks of drug initiation
a lower risk of akathisia (9). Investigators have hypothe- or dosage increase, and another therapeutic agent has not been
sized that serotonergic pathways may be implicated, be- decreased or discontinued in the 2 weeks prior to symptom onset.
cause serotonergic medications, such as selective seroto- If symptoms persist more than 3 months, the diagnosis is chronic
akathisia with acute onset.
nin reuptake inhibitors, can induce akathisia, and Tardive akathisia: symptoms begin 3 or more months after initia-
antagonism of serotonin (especially 5-HT2A) by some sec- tion of an antipsychotic medication, there has been no change in
ond-generation antipsychotics can reduce akathisia dosage or medication in the 6 weeks prior to onset of symptoms,
and another therapeutic agent has not been decreased or dis-
symptoms (10).
continued in the 2 weeks prior to symptom onset.
a Modified from research diagnostic criteria in reference 4. See also
Risk Factors for Akathisia the research criteria for akathisia in DSM-IV-TR, Appendix B, p. 802.
Various risk factors have been associated with akathisia.
Some treatment risk factors include higher drug dosages, Restless legs syndrome and akathisia have many
rapid increment of dosage, and higher-potency antipsy- symptoms in common (15, 18), and direct-to-consumer
chotic medications (10). Individual risk factors include marketing of medications for restless legs syndrome may
higher age, female sex, negative lead to confusion of this disorder with akathisia. Making
symptoms, iron deficiency, cognitive the distinction is critical, because the
dysfunction, and affective disorder treatment for restless legs syndrome
diagnoses (8). “The diagnosis of (dopamine agonists such as ropinirole
akathisia can be difficult, and pramipexole [19]) may worsen
Diagnosis psychosis, necessitating higher dos-
Table 1 lists the diagnostic criteria
particularly since the ages of antipsychotic medication and
for akathisia, and Table 2 presents the medications most often ultimately worsening the akathisia. We
features and differential diagnoses of have included a column on restless
various movement syndromes.
implicated in akathisia legs syndrome in Table 2 to aid in mak-
The diagnosis of akathisia can be are those most likely to ing the diagnostic distinction. The im-
difficult (16), particularly since the have been prescribed for portant distinguishing features of rest-
medications most often implicated less legs syndrome are that symptoms
in akathisia are those most likely to treatment of psychotic usually occur only during periods of
have been prescribed for treatment rest, relaxation, or sleep and that the
agitation.” symptoms follow a circadian pattern
of psychotic agitation. Akathisia is
often mistaken for anxiety or wors- and are typically worse in the evening
ening of psychotic agitation, and anxiety and agitation of- or at night (15).
ten accompany akathisia and further complicate the Differentiating tardive akathitic movements from tardive
differential diagnosis. Another factor complicating diag- dyskinetic movements can also be difficult, especially in
nosis is that akathisia symptoms can vary in severity over circumstances where both conditions may be present. Tar-
time, particularly in mild cases. The assessment of akathi- dive akathisia can share features with tardive dyskinesia. A
sia in clinical trials usually involves rating scales that may study of akathisia in patients taking first-generation anti-
include measures of both subjective and objective com- psychotics found that one-third to two-thirds of those with
ponents. The most widely used scale today is the Barnes tardive akathisia had either orofacial or choreoathetoid
Akathisia Rating Scale (17). Although akathisia scales limb dyskinesias suggestive of tardive dyskinesia (3). It is
have demonstrated reliability and validity, investigators unclear whether tardive akathisia is a separate disorder or
are rarely well trained in their use, and interrater reliabil- a variation of the manifestations of tardive dyskinesia (6).
ity is seldom established in large multicenter trials, mak- The choreic movements of tardive dyskinesia should be
ing it difficult to develop accurate estimates of incidence, distinguished from some of the more complex and rare
prevalence, and risk factors. Furthermore, akathisia can manifestations of akathisia, including face and thigh rub-
often be suppressed with distraction; if clinicians are bing, scratching, and trunk rocking (1). There are several
monitoring for akathisia only under brief and formal ex- important distinguishing features. The first is that tardive
aminations, the diagnosis may be overlooked (1). akathitic movements can be voluntarily suppressed, at

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TREATMENT IN PSYCHIATRY

TABLE 2. Features and Differential Diagnoses of Acute and Tardive Movement Syndromes
Feature Acute Akathisia Dystonia Extrapyramidal Symptoms
Onset of Acute—hours to days after initiation or Acute—usually 24–48 hours (but up to 7 Acute—several days to weeks after drug
symptoms dosage increase (11) days) after drug initiation or dosage initiation or dosage increase of continu-
increase (9) ous antipsychotic medication (12)
Symptoms Inner feelings of restlessness; anxiety; Sudden inability to relax involved muscle Depression; subjective feelings of being
irritability or dysphoria; urge to move group, e.g., return neck to midline, slowed or unable to move
to relieve symptoms; symptoms persist center gaze, etc.; discomfort and pain
throughout day, no circadian pattern in affected muscle groups (9)
(though symptoms may improve on
sleeping) (3)
Signs Pacing; rocking while sitting or standing; Fixed and abnormal posturing of the Tremor (low-frequency, resting, “pill-roll-
marching in place; crossing and neck, limbs, trunk; fixed deviation of ing” quality); rigidity of the limbs and
uncrossing legs; fidgeting or other gaze (oculogyric crisis); fixed protrusion or trunk (can be asymmetrical, often
purposeless repetitive action (3, 9) of tongue; fixed contraction of jaw cogwheel rigidity); bradykinesia (reduc-
(trismus); contractions can last seconds tion in spontaneous movement or ac-
to hours but relax quickly with tivity, reduced facial expressions, soft-
anticholinergic treatment (9) ening of voice, decreased ability to
initiate or arrest movement) (9)
Differential Primary anxiety; psychotic agitation; Malingering; seizures; conversion Parkinson’s disease; tardive dyskinesia;
diagnosis tardive dyskinesia; tardive akathisia; reaction dystonia
restless legs syndrome

least briefly. The second is that akathitic movements are reactions, akinesia, motor rigidity, tremor, akathisia, and
complex and demonstrate an intact motor control (4). tardive (or late-occurring) syndromes such as tardive dys-
kinesia, tardive dystonia, and tardive akathisia. Through-
Contribution of Akathisia to out these decades, however, a number of investigators
Psychopathology continued to voice concern that these disorders were of-
ten missed completely, falsely attributed to psychopathol-
Akathisia is an uncomfortable and distressing side ef-
ogy and undertreated, even when diagnosed (20, 25, 26).
fect, so much so that the diagnostic criteria include sub-
The consequences of these disorders were often signifi-
jective discomfort. The presence of akathisia is correlated
cant in terms of personal distress, functional impairment,
with medication noncompliance and has been associated
with a worsening of psychotic symptoms, impulsive, ag- stigmatization, and nonadherence (21).
gressive, and self-injurious behavior, and even suicidality The introduction of clozapine served as an impetus to
(1, 20–22). The agitation and restlessness typical of akathi- develop other compounds with the “atypical” characteris-
sia, especially the acute variant, can be mistaken for psy- tic of a lower propensity to cause movement disorders. In
chotic agitation. This can lead to increases in antipsy- general, the second-generation antipsychotics are less
chotic dosages and further worsening of the akathisia. On likely than first-generation antipsychotics to produce ex-
the other hand, lowering the antipsychotic dosage to find trapyramidal symptoms (27, 28). Although low dosages
the lowest effective dosage can lead to symptoms such as (less than 600 mg chlorpromazine-equivalents) of the low-
agitation, aggression, anxiety, and hyperactivity. These potency conventional antipsychotics are an exception to
may be interpreted as a reemergence of the targeted psy- this generalization, the second-generation medications
chiatric condition, but they may also be an unmasking of have been shown to have superior efficacy to low-dose,
tardive akathisia (22). low-potency conventional antipsychotics (8). In the Clini-
cal Antipsychotic Trials of Intervention Effectiveness
First-Generation Versus Second- (CATIE) study (29), no significant differences between an-
Generation Antipsychotics tipsychotics were observed in rating scale scores for ex-
trapyramidal symptoms, yet the rate of discontinuation
When chlorpromazine, the first widely used antipsy-
chotic, was introduced in 1954, the potential for a variety because of extrapyramidal side effects was significantly
of extrapyramidal side effects quickly became apparent. higher among patients taking perphenazine, the only first-
(In fact, some observers [23] suggested that parkinsonian generation medication in the study, than among those
side effects, specifically micrography, could be used to de- taking second-generation medications. This finding sug-
tect the dosage threshold for antipsychotic efficacy.) The gests a notable disconnect between rating scale measures
assumption that antipsychotic drug treatment had to for movement disorders and the clinical impact of such
come with a high risk of movement disorder was chal- disorders. Patients in the CATIE study who had a prior di-
lenged with the introduction of clozapine, the first anti- agnosis of tardive dyskinesia were also excluded from the
psychotic medication that had a qualitatively lower risk of perphenazine arm, diluting the impact of movement side
inducing extrapyramidal side effects (24). effects from first-generation antipsychotics in the study.
Between the 1960s and the 1980s, much was learned Furthermore, it is likely that CATIE raters were not sensi-
about the incidence, prevalence, and risk factors for neu- tive to milder manifestations of akathisia and other move-
roleptic-induced movement disorders—acute dystonic ment disorder syndromes (30), which would also have re-

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Restless Legs Syndrome Tardive Dyskinesia Tardive Akathisia


Often unrelated to antipsychotic medication Delayed onset, typically not earlier than 3 Delayed onset unrelated to drug initiation or
use months after drug initiation or dosage dosage increase, can be unmasked by drug
increase (13) withdrawal (8, 14)
Internal urge to move limbs (must include Awareness of abnormal movements is highly Inner feelings of restlessness; anxiety;
legs) when resting, sleeping, or relaxed; variable across patients irritability or dysphoria; urge to move to
symptoms not present when stationary but relieve symptoms; symptoms persist
alert; discomfort relieved by movement; throughout day, no circadian pattern
symptoms typically have circadian pattern (though symptoms may improve on
(worse at night) (15) sleeping) (3)
Unlike akathisia, which is often evident Choreic movements of the tongue, trunk, Same as signs of acute akathisia; sometimes
during office visits, patients with restless upper and lower extremities, especially associated with choreoathetoid limb
legs syndrome are typically alert and fingers and toes (piano playing movements); dyskinesias and orofacial dyskinesias (3)
therefore asymptomatic during lip smacking, pouting, chewing; facial gri-
appointments (15) macing, rapid or exaggerated eye blinking (9)

Drug-induced akathisia; restless insomnia; Extrapyramidal symptoms; akathisia; dystonia; Primary anxiety; psychotic agitation; tardive
peripheral neuropathy and vascular idiopathic dyskinesias; hereditary and dyskinesia; acute akathisia; restless legs
insufficiency metabolic dyskinesias syndrome

duced measured differences among medications in amining patients for acute, chronic, and tardive akathisia
extrapyramidal side effects. as a component of a regular evaluation of extrapyramidal
In general, the second-generation antipsychotics pro- symptoms. The Mount Sinai guidelines on the pharmaco-
duce lower rates of akathisia compared with haloperidol therapy of schizophrenia (40) recommend a relatively
even when low dosages of haloperidol are used (31–37). complete examination for extrapyramidal symptoms and
Differences among the second-generation medications, tardive dyskinesia before a patient is started on a new med-
however, are neither clear nor consistent. The CATIE in- ication, and then every 6 months for patients who receive a
vestigators (29) reported similar rates of akathisia in phase first-generation antipsychotic and every 12 months for
1 among the second-generation antipsychotics (ranging those receiving a second-generation antipsychotic. The
from 5% to 9%). Aside from the CATIE trial, there is a pau- guidelines recommend more frequent monitoring for indi-
city of data regarding the relative risk of akathisia among viduals at high risk, such as elderly patients.
the second-generation antipsychotics. The Mount Sinai guidelines represent a minimal level of
Tardive dyskinesia was first observed shortly after the monitoring. More frequent monitoring that focuses on the
introduction of chlorpromazine. With conventional anti- most common side effects may be appropriate during
psychotics, the incidence of tardive dyskinesia is generally acute treatment, during periods of dosage adjustment,
reported to be 5% per year, at least for the first 5 years of and when there is concern about specific side effects. In
treatment (38). The incidence with second-generation an- many clinical settings, heavy case loads may make it diffi-
tipsychotics appears to be significantly lower, approxi- cult for clinicians to administer a complete examination
mately 1% per year on average (39); however, the available for extrapyramidal symptoms and abnormal involuntary
studies are limited by methodological problems and rela- movements. In such circumstances, we recommend a rel-
tively brief follow-up periods. atively brief examination that can be administered in less
than 3 minutes (Table 3). Since the goal of this examina-
Tardive akathisia, unlike tardive dyskinesia, has not
tion is to detect mild movements, we are not recommend-
been widely studied or universally accepted. Second-gen-
ing any system for rating. If abnormal movements are
eration antipsychotics are probably less likely than the
detected, we recommend systematic rating with descrip-
first-generation antipsychotics to produce tardive akathi-
tions of the symptoms.
sia, but no systematic data are currently available.
Management of Akathisia
Assessment of Akathisia and Other
Movement Disorders Relatively little information is available to guide clini-
cians in treating chronic or tardive akathisia (41–43). Case
Although the introduction of the second-generation an- reports (reviewed in reference 14) and small randomized
tipsychotics has decreased the prevalence and severity of studies (44–54) suggest that benzodiazepines, propran-
neurological side effects in patients treated with antipsy- olol, and anticholinergics may be of some help in treating
chotics, acute and chronic extrapyramidal side effects re- acute akathisia. We recommend trials of propranolol, anti-
main relatively common. For some individuals, these cholinergics, or benzodiazepines for reducing the imme-
symptoms can constitute a substantial symptom burden diate distress that patients experience from restlessness.
that can be difficult to detect. This is particularly true for In our experience, these treatments, which are already of-
restlessness, which, as mentioned above, can be difficult to ten inadequate for treating acute akathisia (41–43), are
discriminate from agitation or anxiety. We recommend ex- even less effective in chronic akathisia.

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TABLE 3. Brief Clinical Assessment of Movement Disorders Over the next 8 years, Mr. B had trials of up to 850 mg/
for Patients on Antipsychotic Medication day quetiapine, up to 60 mg of ziprasidone twice a day, up
Side Effect and Examination Procedure to 15 mg/day of aripiprazole, and combination treatments
Akathisia (usually due to prolonged cross-titration schedules) of
Observe for restless movements
Inquire about difficulty sitting still, restless feelings, and pacing
olanzapine with quetiapine, ziprasidone with quetiapine,
Rigidity and tremor and aripiprazole with quetiapine. With each initial medi-
Observe for spontaneous movements and tremor cation change or dosage increase, Mr. B would report an
Examine for cogwheeling improvement in his akathisia, but the restlessness quickly
Observe arm swing and gait while patient is walking
Tardive movements returned; the symptoms were at their worst when he was
Observe abnormal face and extremity movements while patient is on aripiprazole and ziprasidone. He was also restarted
sitting still with feet flat and again while patient is distracted with several times on lorazepam and propranolol, but improve-
alternating thumb and finger tapping
ments on benzodiazepines and beta-blockers were
Observe truncal, pelvic, and arm/hand movements while patient is
walking equally short-lived, and typically these medications were
discontinued after several weeks or months. The medica-
tion regimen was changed fairly frequently in an effort to
If it is feasible to reduce the antipsychotic dosage, this
balance worsening akathisia at higher dosages of antipsy-
should be done gradually. Changing the patient to an an-
chotic medication and emerging psychotic symptoms of
tipsychotic with a lower liability for extrapyramidal side
paranoia, thought disorder, and anxiety at lower dosages.
effects—particularly clozapine—is supported by our clini-
Although the presumptive diagnosis was tardive akathisia,
cal experience and by small randomized trials (55, 56) and
based on the chronicity and the noted improvement on
case series (57, 58). It is important to inform patients that
increasing antipsychotic dosage or switching medica-
there may be a delay of weeks or months from the time the
tions, Mr. B was never off antipsychotic medications.
antipsychotic regimen is changed until the patient experi-
ences substantial relief. For many such patients, clozapine is the only effective
strategy. In 2005, Mr. B was started on clozapine specifically
to target the tardive akathisia. His dosage was titrated to 100
Summary and Recommendations mg in the morning and 200 mg at bedtime, and it has re-
Restlessness is a relatively common complaint in pa- mained stable since. Mr. B has not needed adjunctive anti-
tients receiving antipsychotic medications. Possible psychotic medications, benzodiazepines, or beta-blockers
causes include agitation, anxiety, and akathisia. It is im- for akathisia symptoms while on this regimen. He does still
portant to bear in mind that the subjective experience of have symptoms of restlessness, but the symptoms are mark-
restlessness will not always lead to obvious increases in edly better than they were prior to treatment with clozapine.
motor behavior. We recommend that clinicians regularly Both Mr. B and his mother report that the akathisia, while
assess both subjective and objective restlessness. If rest- still bothersome, is tolerable and manageable at this level.
lessness is a result of akathisia, clinicians should assess
whether it is acute or chronic. The differentiation can be Received July 19, 2007; revision received Aug. 28, 2007; accepted
Aug. 28, 2007 (doi: 10.1176/appi.ajp.2007.07071150). From the San
made by considering the time of onset of the symptom as Diego VA Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center, San
well as the response of the akathisia to changes in antipsy- Diego; the West Los Angeles VA, Los Angeles; and the Zucker Hillside
chotic dosage. Hospital, Glen Oaks, New York. Address correspondence and reprint
requests to Dr. Bratti, West Los Angeles VA, Psychiatry, 11301 Wilshire
If the diagnosis is chronic or tardive akathisia, we rec- Blvd., WLA VAHCS B151-H, Los Angeles, CA 90073; ibratti@med-
ommend trials of an anticholinergic, a central-acting net.ucla.edu (e-mail).
beta-blocker, or a benzodiazepine to relieve the patient’s Dr. Bratti reports no competing interests. Dr. Kane has served as a
distress. At the same time, clinicians should consider consultant to or on an advisory board for Abbott, Bristol-Myers
Squibb, Otsuka, Pfizer, Janssen, Lilly, Vanda, Wyeth, Lundbeck, and
changing the patient’s antipsychotic pharmacotherapy. PGxHealth. Dr. Marder has received research support from Merck
Alternatives to be considered are lowering the dosage of and Allon and has served as a consultant to Bristol-Myers Squibb, Ot-
antipsychotic, changing to a less potent second-genera- suka, Pfizer, Solvay, Roche, Acadia, Memory, and GlaxoSmithKline.
tion antipsychotic, or changing to clozapine.
When Mr. B, from the clinical vignette, was transferred
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