Effects of amphetamine and/or L-dopa and physiotherapy after stroke - a blinded randomized study.
OBJECTIVE
Major therapeutic advances in the rehabilitation of subacute stroke are lacking. A promising approach is treatment with facilitating drugs like amphetamine or levodopa in combination with physiotherapy.


METHODS
In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trail, the effect of 10 sessions with either 20 mg of D-amphetamine, 100 mg of L-dopa or 10 mg of D-amphetamine + 50 mg of L-dopa combined with physiotherapy during a 2-week period was investigated in 25 patients admitted to a stroke rehabilitation unit. Motor function (Fugl-Meyer score) and activities of daily living (Barthel's index) were assessed.


RESULTS
All patients improved significantly over the intervention period. Drug-treated patients did not show any additional increase in motor function or ADL.


CONCLUSIONS
It is feasible and safe to perform larger clinical trials with this type of four-arm design. However, the lack of significant effects could be because of type, dosage, and time of drugs as well as the physical intervention strategy.
Sonde
L
L
Division of Geriatric Medicine, Department of Neurobiology, Caring Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden. lars.sonde@sll.se
Lökk
J
J
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003913:Dextroamphetamine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D015259:Dopamine Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007980:Levodopa / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008297:Male; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D020521:Stroke / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D015259:Dopamine Agents; D007980:Levodopa; D003913:Dextroamphetamine