Impact of Tardive Dyskinesia on Caregivers Should Be Considered When Determining Treatment

Caregivers of patients with tardive dyskinesia (TD) are “substantially” impacted and should be considered when clinicians create a treatment plan, according to a recent study published in the Journal of American Psychiatric Nurses Association.

“The impact on caregivers should also be recognized since these are the individuals who manage patients’ health on a daily basis,” researchers wrote. “Caregivers often have limited time and energy to spend on their own physical and emotional needs, which can hinder their ability to work, accomplish daily tasks at home, participate in social activities, and maintain personal relationships.”

Researchers collected questionnaire responses from 41 qualified unpaid caregivers of patients with TD. The questionnaire included caregivers’ sociodemographic characteristics, perceptions of the impact of abnormal involuntary movements on patients, and the impact of the movements on themselves as caregivers. Of participants, 20 (48.8%) were employed full or part time, and 35 (85.4%) were family members or friends of the patient with TD.

The 50% of caregivers who reported the patient’s movement had “some” or “a lot” of impact on their ability to “continue usual activities” (50%) responded the movements impacted their ability to “be productive” (58.4%), “take care of self” (49.9%), and “socialize” (55.5%). This respondent group also reported the patient’s TD movements required them to time manage (66.6%), impacted their life overall (55.6%), and made them feel frustrated or angry (38.9%).

In Online Posts, Patients Share Anger, Insecurity Over TD Symptoms

“Given the potential consequences of caregiver burden, providing appropriate resources may be an important part of the overall therapeutic strategy,” researchers said.

Clinicians can also use the daily lived experiences and insight of the caregivers, researchers suggest.

“Caregivers can be a valuable resource to clinicians for assessing the presence and severity of TD and subsequent impact on patients,” researchers concluded. “Health care providers should consider a comprehensive therapeutic approach that incorporates caregivers’ input.”

—Meagan Thistle

Reference

Cutler AJ, Caroff SN, Tanner CM, et al. Caregiver-reported burden in RE-KINECT: data from a prospective real-world tardive dyskinesia screening study. J Am Psychiatr Nurses Assoc. Published online June 22, 2021. doi:10.1177/10783903211023565