RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Are antipsychotic drugs the right treatment for challenging behaviour in learning disability?: The place of a randomised trial
JF Journal of Medical Ethics
JO J Med Ethics
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and Institute of Medical Ethics
SP 338
OP 343
DO 10.1136/jme.27.5.338
VO 27
IS 5
A1 Richard Ashcroft
A1 Bill Fraser
A1 Michael Kerr
A1 Zahir Ahmed
YR 2001
UL http://jme.bmj.com/content/27/5/338.abstract
AB People with learning disability sometimes display challenging behaviour. This can be managed by use of antipsychotic medication or behavioural therapy or both. There is no solid evidence, however, that these therapies are safe and effective. A randomised controlled trial of antipsychotic medication has been proposed to deliver such evidence. However, this presents difficult issues in the ethics of research with learning disabled people. In particular, is a trial the most efficient and fairest way to evaluate practice in this area? This paper reviews the clinical situation, gives the rationale for the trial, and analyses the ethical arguments for and against such a trial.