A BEHAVIORAL MICROANALYSIS OF THE EFFECTS OF HALOPERIDOL AND OXAZEPAM IN DEMENTED PSYCHOGERIATRIC INPATIENTS

Twenty-one inpatients on a psychogeriatric unit were assigned randomly to a haloperidol or oxazepam treatment group. Drug effects were assessed with three psychiatric rating scales and direct behavioral observation. The behavioral microanalysis employed two separate systems of observation: aberrant behaviors were assessed by recording the frequency of behaviors per hour, and the activities assessment (eg social interaction, sleeping) sampled each resident's behaviors during two 10-min intervals per day. Results showed no differences between drug groups on any of the assessments, except for engagement in activities from the activities assessment. A modest non-significant decrease in symptoms was noted on all psychiatric assessments. The behavioral observations showed very low pretreatment levels of aberrant behaviors. Non-significant post-treatment decreases were observed for disruptive vocalizations, paranoid verbalization, and non-compliance; rates of physical aggression and psychomotor agitation increased somewhat. The potential role of behavioral microanalysis in nursing homes is discussed in light of new HCFA guidelines.