Neuropsychopharmacology Reports (Sep 2023)

Development and acceptability testing of a decision aid for considering whether to reduce antipsychotics in individuals with stable schizophrenia

  • Yumi Aoki,
  • Yoshikazu Takaesu,
  • Kentaro Matsui,
  • Takahiro Tokumasu,
  • Hideaki Tani,
  • Yoshiteru Takekita,
  • Tetsufumi Kanazawa,
  • Taishiro Kishimoto,
  • Seiichiro Tarutani,
  • Naoki Hashimoto,
  • Hiroyoshi Takeuchi,
  • Kazuo Mishima,
  • Ken Inada

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1002/npr2.12366
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 43, no. 3
pp. 391 – 402

Abstract

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Abstract Aim Continued antipsychotic treatment is the key to preventing relapse. Maintenance antipsychotic monotherapy and optimal dose use are recommended for individuals with stable schizophrenia because of their undesirable effects. Decision aids (DAs) are clinical conversation tools that facilitate shared decision‐making (SDM) between patients and health‐care providers. This study aimed to describe the development process and results of acceptability testing of a DA for individuals with stable schizophrenia, considering (i) whether to continue high‐dose antipsychotics or reduce to the standard dose and (ii) whether to continue two antipsychotics or shift to monotherapy. Methods A DA was developed according to the guidelines for the appropriate use of psychotropic medications and International Patient Decision Aid Standards (IPDAS). First, a DA prototype was developed based on a previous systematic review and meta‐analysis conducted for identifying the effects of continuing or reducing antipsychotic treatment. Second, mixed‐method survey was performed among individuals with schizophrenia and health‐care providers to modify and finalize the DA. Results The DA consisted of an explanation of schizophrenia, options to continue high‐dose antipsychotics or reduce to the standard dose, options to continue two antipsychotics or shift to monotherapy, pros and cons of each option, and a value‐clarification worksheet for each option. The patients (n = 20) reported acceptable language use (75%), adequate information (75%), and well‐balanced presentation (79%). Health‐care providers (n = 20) also provided favorable overall feedback. The final DA covered six IPDAS qualifying criteria. Conclusion A DA was successfully developed for schizophrenia, considering whether to reduce antipsychotics, which can be used in the SDM process.

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