Tardive dyskinesia (TD) is a movement disorder causing involuntary movements that severely impact patients’ physical, cognitive, and psychosocial functioning. Despite its significant effects, routine clinical practice often lacks measures to assess TD’s functional impact. To address this, an advisory panel of experts in psychiatry and neurology developed consensus recommendations for assessing TD’s impact on patients’ functioning. They emphasized the need for comprehensive evaluations at every patient visit, involving consultations with patients, caregivers, and family members to guide treatment decisions.

The panel recommended assessing TD’s impact across key domains: social, physical, vocational, and psychological functioning, along with the disorder’s effect on the underlying psychiatric condition. This comprehensive assessment approach aims to improve TD management, facilitate shared decision-making, and ultimately enhance patient outcomes. The findings stress the importance of community partnerships and standardized intervention approaches, urging further research to address disparities and optimize care for diverse demographic groups impacted by TD.

Reference: Jackson R, Brams MN, Citrome L, et al. Assessment of the Impact of Tardive Dyskinesia in Clinical Practice: Consensus Panel Recommendations. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat. 2021;17:1589-1597. doi: 10.2147/NDT.S310605.