A fixed effect model was used for a data set with non-significant heterogeneity. A random effect model was used for a data set with significant heterogeneity. No significant difference could be found in respect of needing medication for extrapyramidal side effects, as well as for incidences of parkinsonism, akathisia and dystonia. No significant difference between the two groups shows with regard to global state and mental state. Quetiapine may produce lower incidences of using medication for extrapyramidal side effects such as parkinsonism, akathisia and dystonia.
Most data are very short term.
The improvement on mental state was significantly higher in the high dose group. Incidences of akathisia, dystonia, parkinsonism and needing medication for extrapyramidal side effects were the same for both doses of quetiapine. Before quetiapine's use can be recommended, more large, well conducted trials that provide short, medium and long term outcomes relevant to carers and clinicians are necessary. This is an abstract of a regularly updated, systematic review prepared and maintained by the Cochrane Collaboration. Update Software Ltd. All rights reserved.