Pharmacy

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Modafinil for attentional and psychomotor dysfunction in advanced cancer: a double-blind, randomised, cross-over trial
Palliative Medicine, 08/06/09

Lundorff LE et al. – In a study to investigate the use of modafinil on attentional and psychomotor dysfunction in cancer pts, it was shown that modafinil in a single dose regimen was significantly superior to placebo regarding 2 cognitive tests of psychomotor speed and attention. Subjective scores of depression and drowsiness were significantly improved by modafinil.

Methods

• 28 cancer pts with a tiredness score of 50 mm or more on a scale of 0 to 10 (0 = no tiredness, 10 = worst possible tiredness) and Karnofsky Performance Status 40–70 were included.
• All medications were kept stable during the trial despite short–acting opioids for breakthrough pain.
• On day 1, pts were randomly assigned to receive 200 mg modafinil orally or placebo and on day 4 they crossed–over to the alternative treatment.
• Finger Tapping Test (FTT), Trail Making Test (TMT) and Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS) were evaluated before tablet intake and again 4, 5 hrs after.

Results

• FTT for the dominant hand as well as TMT were statistically significantly improved on modafinil.
• On ESAS, depression and drowsiness also improved statistically significantly