Long-term treatment with methylphenidate for fatigue after traumatic brain injury.

Abstract

OBJECTIVES:

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) may cause long-lasting post-concussive symptoms, such as mental fatigue and concentration difficulties, and this may become the main hindrance for returning to work and studies. There is currently no effective treatment for long-lasting mental fatigue. In this hypothesis generating study, the long-term effects of methylphenidate on mental fatigue, cognitive function, and safety were assessed.

MATERIALS & METHODS:

Thirty participants who suffered from long-term post-concussion symptoms after a mild TBI or moderate TBI and who had reported positive effects with methylphenidate during an initial phase of this follow-up study were treated with methylphenidate for a further six months.

RESULTS:

After six-month follow-up, effects on Mental Fatigue Scale (MFS), depression, anxiety, and cognitive function (processing speed, attention, working memory) were significantly improved compared to baseline data (P < 0.001, respectively). Heart rate was significantly increased (P = 0.01), while blood pressure was not changed.

CONCLUSIONS:

Individuals suffering from prolonged symptoms after TBI reported reduced mental fatigue and improved cognitive functions with long-term methylphenidate treatment. It is suggested that methylphenidate can be a treatment option for long-term mental fatigue and cognitive impairment after a TBI, but further randomized control research is warranted.

• Authors: B Johansson, A-P Wentzel, P Andréll, L Rönnbäck, C Mannheimer
• Journal: Acta neurologica Scandinavica (Acta Neurol Scand) Vol. 135 Issue 1 Pg. 100-107 (Jan 2017) ISSN: 1600-0404 [Electronic] Denmark
• PMID: 26991608 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Phase II, Journal Article)
• Copyright: © 2016 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Chemical References

• Central Nervous System Stimulants
• Methylphenidate

Topics

• Adult
• Attention
• Brain Injuries, Traumatic (complications, drug therapy)
• Central Nervous System Stimulants (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Cognition
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Memory, Short-Term
• Mental Fatigue (drug therapy, etiology)
• Methylphenidate (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Middle Aged
• Post-Concussion Syndrome (drug therapy, etiology)