Risperidone is an atypical antipsychotic used among adults to treat several diseases like psychosis and schizophrenia and also useful in the management of rheumatic chorea. This study was aimed to see the effect of risperidone in reducing motor movements in children with predominant choreo-athetoid cerebral palsy (CP) and its impact on quality of life of these patients.

Methodology

This one year prospective interventional study was conducted on 30 children in Child Development Centre (CDC) of a tertiary care centre. These children were treated with 0.25 mg to 0.5 mg of risperidone with gradual increase in dose depending upon tolerability.

Results

The mean AIMS total score (19.70±4.26 to 14.73±3.37; p<0.001) reduced significantly at 6 month follow up from enrolment. The mean QUEST score at enrolment (37.00±5.76) significantly increased (43.78±6.77) (p<0.001). Also the mean CPQOL score increased from 64.33±9.63 to 70.00±8.61 at six months follow up (p<0.001). Sedation was noted in 20 (66.67%) children in the first week but wasn’t reported beyond first week. None of the child had significant weight gain.

Conclusion

Treatment with risperidone in children with choreo-athetoid CP is highly effective in terms of improvement motor and functional skills and is safe.