Methylphenidate reduces mental fatigue and improves processing speed in persons suffered a traumatic brain injury.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

Post-traumatic brain injury symptoms, such as mental fatigue, have considerable negative impacts on quality-of-life. In the present study the effects of methylphenidate in two different dosages were assessed with regard to mental fatigue, pain and cognitive functions in persons who had suffered a traumatic brain injury.

METHODS:

Fifty-one subjects were included and 44 completed the study. The treatment continued for 12 weeks, including three treatment periods with no medication for 4 weeks, administration of low dose methylphenidate (up to 5 mg × 3) for 4 weeks and normal dose methylphenidate (up to 20 mg × 3) for a further 4 weeks. The patients were randomized into three groups where all groups were given all treatments.

RESULTS:

Significantly reduced mental fatigue, assessed with the Mental Fatigue Scale (MFS) and increased information processing speed (coding, WAIS-III), were detected. The SF-36 vitality and social functioning scales were also improved significantly. Pain was not reduced by methylphenidate. The positive effects of treatment were dose-dependent, with the most prominent effects being at 60 mg methylphenidate/day spread over three doses. Observed side-effects were increased blood pressure and increased heart rate.

CONCLUSIONS:

Methylphenidate was generally well-tolerated and it improved long-lasting mental fatigue and processing speed after traumatic brain injury.

• Authors: B Johansson, A-P Wentzel, P Andréll, C Mannheimer, L Rönnbäck
• Journal: Brain injury (Brain Inj) Vol. 29 Issue 6 Pg. 758-65 ( 2015) ISSN: 1362-301X [Electronic] England
• PMID: 25794299 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Methylphenidate

Topics

• Adult
• Brain Injuries (drug therapy, psychology)
• Cognition (drug effects)
• Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Mental Fatigue (drug therapy, psychology)
• Methylphenidate (therapeutic use)
• Middle Aged
• Pain (drug therapy)
• Treatment Outcome