Examining anti-psychotic drug use in adults with intellectual disabilities in England and Wales

A Novel Way to Understand and Communicate the Burden of Antipsychotic Prescribing for Adults Across Specialist Intellectual Disability Services in England and Wales.

Observational University of Plymouth · NCT06238089

This study looks at how often adults with intellectual disabilities in England and Wales are prescribed anti-psychotic medications and how these patterns have changed over the past seven years, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment600 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorUniversity of Plymouth Academic / other
Locations8 sites (Chester and 7 other locations)
Trial IDNCT06238089 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This observational study aims to analyze the prescribing patterns of anti-psychotic medications among adults with intellectual disabilities (ID) across specialist services in England and Wales. By collecting retrospective data over seven years, the study will identify individuals prescribed multiple anti-psychotic treatments and quantify these prescriptions using chlorpromazine equivalent doses. The research will also assess how prescribing practices have changed over time, particularly in relation to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The study will utilize statistical tools to monitor variations in prescribing across different healthcare Trusts.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are adults with a diagnosis of intellectual disability who have been prescribed two or more anti-psychotic medications.

Not a fit: Patients under the age of 18 or those treated with Clozapine will not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to improved prescribing practices and better management of anti-psychotic treatments for patients with intellectual disabilities.

How similar studies have performed: While this study focuses on a specific population and prescribing patterns, similar observational studies have shown success in identifying trends in medication use, suggesting potential for meaningful insights.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Patient had psychiatric review by specialist adult ID services in the last year (e.g. for a patient to be included at 1st June 2017, data to be recorded from the most recent psychiatric review within the period between 1st January 2017 - 31st December 2017).
* Patient has a diagnosis of ID
* Patient under the care of specialist adult ID services
* Patient on \>2 anti-psychotic treatments (oral and IM injectable (depots))

Exclusion Criteria:

* Patients treated with Clozapine
* Under the age of 18 years

Where this trial is running

Chester and 7 other locations

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Intellectual DisabilityLearning DisabilityAnti-psychotic treatmentsOver-prescribingPsychotropic
Last reviewed 2026-06-10 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.