The present study investigates the psychomotor performance of schizophrenic inpatients receiving neuroleptic medication and comedication according to their clinical demands in regard to their fitness to drive. The hypothesis was tested that even under polydrug medication, the clozapine-treated patients (n = 10) would have a superior performance compared to the patients taking classical neuroleptics (n = 18). The data were collected by technical equipment (Act and React Testsystem) measuring reaction time, vigilance, visual perception and stress tolerance. The patients’ driving ability turned out to be equally impaired in both treatment groups; 11% of the patients passed all tests without major impairment; 32% of the patients showed some impairments that required individual evaluation of their driving ability; 57% were considered to be severely impaired and driving could not be recommended. Except for one test, no significant group differences in psychomotor reaction performance were obtained. These results are discussed concerning limitations and consequences.

Keywords:
Neuroleptics, Clozapine, Sensorimotor performance, Fitness to drive
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© 1999 S. Karger AG, Basel
1999
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