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

• DOI: 10.1111/ane.12587
• Publication Date: 2016-03-19T01:19:37Z
• Authors: B. Johansson; A.-P. Wentzel; P. Andréll; L. Rönnbäck; C. Mannheimer
• Keywords: Adult; Male; Post-Concussion Syndrome; Middle Aged; Mental Fatigue; 3. Good health; 03 medical and health sciences; Cognition; Memory, Short-Term; 0302 clinical medicine; Brain Injuries, Traumatic; Methylphenidate; Humans; Attention; Central Nervous System Stimulants; Female

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.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.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.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.