Methylphenidate Rehabilitation Effect in Severe Head Injury

Abstract

Background: Annually, millions of people are affected by traumatic brain injuries which cause long - lasting sequels such as cognitive or motor system dysfunctions. Methylphenidate, a neurostimulant drug, has been proposed as a therapeutic agent in brain injuries. Unlike previous reports, new studies have shown more benefits from its use in traumatic brain injuries. This clinical trial was going to define the value of methylphenidate use in the treatment of traumatic brain injuries. Methods: A double blind, randomized clinical trial was implemented. 60 patients, hospitalized in Intensive Care Units, were randomly put into treatment and control groups. In the treatment group, methylphenidate was administered 5 mg daily, from day 5 to 9 of their hospitalization and 10 mg daily thereafter. Normal Saline was administered as placebo to control patients. All the patients were followed by monitoring these parameters: vital signs, Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) and brain function. Physicians, who were responsible for patients’ monitoring, did not know patients’ status of drug reception (drug or placebo). Results: During the first day GCS in the treated group was 5.43 ±1.52 and in the control patients was 5.37±1.30 (P = 0.87). After 14 days, GCS was 14 ± 0.66 and 10.37 ± 2.13 in treated and control patients, respectively (P < 0.05). Conclusion: This study confirmed the results of similar recent studies done during the past 5 years. They found improved brain functions using methylphenidate in traumatic brain injuries. Keywords: Methylphenidate, brain functions, brain trauma