title: Efficacy of modafinil on fatigue and excessive daytime sleepiness associated with neurological disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Modafinil is a novel wake-promoting agent approved by the FDA ameliorating excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) in three disorders: narcolepsy, shift work sleep disorder and obstructive sleep apnea. Existing trials of modafinil for fatigue and EDS associated with neurological disorders provided inconsistent results. This meta-analysis was aimed to assess drug safety and effects of modafinil on fatigue and EDS associated with neurological disorders.
  
  
  METHODS
  A comprehensive literature review was conducted in order to identify published studies assessing the effects of modafinil on fatigue and EDS associated with neurological disorders. Primary outcomes included fatigue and EDS. Secondary outcomes included depression and adverse effects.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Ten randomized controlled trials were identified including 4 studies of Parkinson's disease (PD), 3 of multiple sclerosis (MS), 2 of traumatic brain injury (TBI) and 1 of post-polio syndrome (PPS). A total of 535 patients were enrolled. Our results suggested a therapeutic effect of modafinil on fatigue in TBI (MD -0.82 95% CI -1.54 - -0.11 p=0.02, I(2)=0%), while a beneficial effect of modafinil on fatigue was not confirmed in the pooled studies of PD or MS. Treatment results demonstrated a clear beneficial effect of modafinil on EDS in patients with PD (MD -2.45 95% CI -4.00 - -0.91 p=0.002 I(2)=14%), but not with MS and TBI. No difference was seen between modafinil and placebo treatments in patients with PPS. Modafinil seemed to have no therapeutic effect on depression. Adverse events were similar between modafinil and placebo groups except that more patients were found with insomnia and nausea in modafinil group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Existing trials of modafinil for fatigue and EDS associated with PD, MS, TBI and PPS provided inconsistent results. The majority of the studies had small sample sizes. Modafinil is not yet sufficient to be recommended for these medical conditions until solid data are available.
authors: Department of Neurosurgery, Shanghai Institute of Neurosurgery, Military Institute of Neurosurgery, Changzheng Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China.
authors: Ping
authors: P
authors: Sheng
authors: Lijun
authors: L
authors: Hou
authors: Xiang
authors: X
authors: Wang
authors: Xiaowen
authors: X
authors: Wang
authors: Chengguang
authors: C
authors: Huang
authors: Mingkun
authors: M
authors: Yu
authors: Xi
authors: X
authors: Han
authors: Yan
authors: Y
authors: Dong
mesh_terms: D001559:Benzhydryl Compounds / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003863:Depression / Q000150:complications; D006970:Disorders of Excessive Somnolence / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005221:Fatigue / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D000077408:Modafinil
chemical_list: D001559:Benzhydryl Compounds; D000077408:Modafinil