Haloperidol versus Second-generation Antipsychotics on the cognitive performance of individuals with schizophrenia and related disorders: pairwise meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Introduction: Despite previous literature, the superiority of Second-generation Antipsychotics (SGAs) relative to First-generation Antipsychotics- especially haloperidol - on cognitive management in schizophrenia is still controversial. Thus, we aimed to compare the effects of haloperidol versus SGAs on the cognitive performance of individuals with schizophrenia or related disorders.

Methods: We conducted an updated systematic review and nine pairwise meta-analyses of double-blinded randomized controlled trials published up to October 30th, 2022, using Medline, Web of Science, and Embase.