OBJECTIVE: The neurobehavioural symptoms and pain following traumatic brain injury (TBI) can be long-lasting. The condition impairs the persons' ability to function in their work, studies and gatherings with family and friends. The aim of this study was to investigate dosage, safety and effects of methylphenidate on mental fatigue and pain. METHODS:Twenty-nine physically-well rehabilitated TBI victims, 28 with a mild TBI and one with TBI and also with pain in the neck, shoulders and head were included in the study. Methylphenidate was tested in each patient using three treatment strategies: no medication, low dose (5 mg × 3) and normal dose (20 mg × 3) for 4 weeks using a randomized cross-over design. RESULTS: Twenty-four patients completed the three treatment periods. Five participants discontinued, four females due to adverse reactions and one male due to attenuated motivation. Only minor adverse events were reported. Methylphenidate significantly decreased mental fatigue, as evaluated by the Mental Fatigue Scale (p < 0.001), and the effects on mental fatigue were dose-dependent. No effect on pain was detected. CONCLUSIONS:Methylphenidate decreased mental fatigue for subjects suffering a traumatic brain injury, the treatment is considered to be safe and is recommended, starting with a low dose.
RCT Entities:
OBJECTIVE: The neurobehavioural symptoms and pain following traumatic brain injury (TBI) can be long-lasting. The condition impairs the persons' ability to function in their work, studies and gatherings with family and friends. The aim of this study was to investigate dosage, safety and effects of methylphenidate on mental fatigue and pain. METHODS: Twenty-nine physically-well rehabilitated TBI victims, 28 with a mild TBI and one with TBI and also with pain in the neck, shoulders and head were included in the study. Methylphenidate was tested in each patient using three treatment strategies: no medication, low dose (5 mg × 3) and normal dose (20 mg × 3) for 4 weeks using a randomized cross-over design. RESULTS: Twenty-four patients completed the three treatment periods. Five participants discontinued, four females due to adverse reactions and one male due to attenuated motivation. Only minor adverse events were reported. Methylphenidate significantly decreased mental fatigue, as evaluated by the Mental Fatigue Scale (p < 0.001), and the effects on mental fatigue were dose-dependent. No effect on pain was detected. CONCLUSIONS:Methylphenidate decreased mental fatigue for subjects suffering a traumatic brain injury, the treatment is considered to be safe and is recommended, starting with a low dose.
Authors: Aaron J Carman; Rennie Ferguson; Robert Cantu; R Dawn Comstock; Penny A Dacks; Steven T DeKosky; Sam Gandy; James Gilbert; Chad Gilliland; Gerard Gioia; Christopher Giza; Michael Greicius; Brian Hainline; Ronald L Hayes; James Hendrix; Barry Jordan; James Kovach; Rachel F Lane; Rebekah Mannix; Thomas Murray; Tad Seifert; Diana W Shineman; Eric Warren; Elisabeth Wilde; Huntington Willard; Howard M Fillit Journal: Nat Rev Neurol Date: 2015-03-17 Impact factor: 42.937
Authors: Eric E Coris; Byron Moran; Kevin Sneed; Gianluca Del Rossi; Bradford Bindas; Shaan Mehta; Dusty Narducci Journal: Sports Health Date: 2021-07-22 Impact factor: 4.355