Akathisia remains a significant issue even in the era of atypical
antipsychotics. The purpose of the present study was to examine the association of
akathisia with various domains of subjective tolerability in order to contribute to the renewed interest in
akathisia and the subjective experience of
antipsychotic treatment. Fifty schizophrenic outpatients receiving stable doses of
risperidone were evaluated for
akathisia, schizophrenic symptoms, and subjective tolerability. Subjective tolerability was comprehensively assessed using the Liverpool University
Neuroleptic Side Effect Rating Scale. Analysis of covariance revealed that the
akathisia group had a significantly higher total score as well as higher subscale scores of extrapyramidal side effect, psychic side effect, and autonomic side effect on the Liverpool University
Neuroleptic Side Effect Rating Scale. Further analysis using binary logistic regression analysis revealed that these variables were significantly associated with
akathisia. The results of our study suggest that
akathisia is significantly associated with a wide range of subjective tolerability profiles, implying the necessity to effectively manage
akathisia even its mild forms considering its strong association with subjective tolerability in general.