Evidence that amphetamine with physical therapy promotes recovery of motor function in stroke patients.
We conducted a double-blind pilot study of 8 patients with established cerebral infarction to evaluate the effect of a single dose of amphetamine on recovery of motor function using the Fugl-Meyer scale. Four patients received amphetamine; the rest were given placebo. All underwent a session of physical therapy. Patients treated with amphetamine obtained greater increments in motor scores than the controls. Along with animal studies, these findings may allow the development of a pharmacological approach to stroke rehabilitation.
Crisostomo
E A
EA
Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC.
Duncan
P W
PW
Propst
M
M
Dawson
D V
DV
Davis
J N
JN
D000368:Aged; D000661:Amphetamine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002561:Cerebrovascular Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy*; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009068:Movement; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities
D000661:Amphetamine