Antipsychotic medication side effect assessment tools: A systematic review

Objective: The aim of this systematic review was to critically appraise the psychometric properties of antipsychotic medication side effect assessment tools. Methods: Systematic searches were undertaken in PubMed, CINAHL and CENTRAL from inception to October 2014. Studies were included if they detailed the evaluation of psychometric properties of antipsychotic medication side effect assessment tools in mental health populations. Studies were excluded if they examined the use of antipsychotic medication side effect assessment tools in non-mental health populations, including people suffering from dementia, Parkinsonism and Alzheimer's. Narrative reviews and studies published in any language other than English were also excluded. Results: Content validity was appropriately established for only one of the tools, reliability was inappropriately evaluated for all but one tool, and the assessment of responsiveness was not acceptable for any tool. Conclusion: Further psychometric studies are warranted to consolidate the psychometric properties of the included antipsychotic medication side effect assessment tools before any of these tools can be confidently recommended for either research or clinical purposes.