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Finger Tremor and Extrapyramidal Side Effects of Neuroleptic Drugs

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 January 2018

Paul Collins ,
Ian Lee  and
Peter Tyrer
Paul Collins
Affiliation:
University Department of Psychiatry, Royal South Hants Hospital, Graham Road, Southampton
Ian Lee
Affiliation:
University Department of Psychiatry, Royal South Hants Hospital, Graham Road, Southampton
Peter Tyrer
Affiliation:
University Department of Psychiatry, Royal South Hants Hospital, Graham Road, Southampton
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Summary

Finger tremor and extrapyramidal side-effects (EPSEs) were measured in seven patients before and during neuroleptic drug treatment to assess the relationship between the onset of EPSEs and changes in finger tremor spectra. Tremor and EPSEs were also measured in twelve patients stabilized on neuroleptic drugs to determine whether tremor could provide a reliable index of the presence and severity of extrapyramidal system disturbance. A downward shift in peak tremor frequency was noted within 48 hours of starting neuroleptic drug therapy, usually before the onset of EPSEs, and a significant negative relationship between the severity of EPSEs and tremor frequency (but not tremor amplitude). The peak frequency of finger tremor is thus a sensitive index of extrapyramidal disturbance and might be of value in predicting which patients taking neuroleptic drugs need anti-parkinsonian therapy.

Type
Papers
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 134 , Issue 5 , May 1979 , pp. 488 - 493
Copyright
Copyright © Royal College of Psychiatrists, 1979 

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