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.