Variations of rest-activity rhythm and sleep-wake in schizophrenic patients versus healthy subjects:: An actigraphic comparative study

The objective of the present study was to compare the pattern of motor activity in unmedicated schizophrenia patients and healthy subjects, and to examine whether the pattern was affected by treatment with typical and atypical antipsychotics. Twenty unmedicated schizophrenic patients wore a wrist actigraph for five days. The actigraph recorded activity levels in one-minute epochs. Patients' pattern of activity was compared with that of healthy subjects. Patients were randomly assigned to treatment with low-dose haloperidol or risperidone. The impact of treatment on the pattern of activity was examined. Compared to controls, untreated patients showed a diminished mean activity count during morning, early and late night periods. Treatment with haloperidol or risperidone at effective doses showed a significant effect on activity level, being more prominent with haloperidol. The results suggest that unmedicated schizophrenic patients exhibit abnormally low levels of motor activity as measured with an objective activity meter. This persists after antipsychotic treatment even though symptoms improve. Future studies should clarify whether motor disturbances are a primary effect of the illness, or related to the illness-related lifestyle.