The drug methylphenidate, which stimulates the central nervous system, provides an effective treatment for those who suffer from mental fatigue. This is the conclusion of studies carried out at the Sahlgrenska Academy and presented in a new book.
Approximately 20,000 people seek emergency medical care after head injury, every year in Sweden. Approximately 30,000 suffer a stroke, while at least a further 5,000 are affected by inflammation, tumors or other diseases of the brain and nervous system.
Studies have shown that approximately 25% will be affected by mental fatigue as a consequence of the injury or disease. The symptoms range from mild concentration difficulties to a long-term inability to hold down a job or enjoy a social life. No drugs are currently available to treat mental fatigue.
Reduces the symptoms
Scientists at the Sahlgrenska Academy have obtained very good results in tests of two new treatment methods for mental fatigue.
In one study, 29 patients who were still experiencing mental fatigue after being treated for head injury received methylphenidate, a stimulant of the central nervous system. The results showed that the medicine, which is normally used to treat ADHD, not only reduced mental fatigue but also helped the patients to process information more rapidly.
“The substance doesn’t remove the discomfort or the pain, but it does reduce the symptoms of mental fatigue. This led to many patients finding the pain easier to manage,” says Birgitta Johansson, scientist at the Sahlgrenska Academy.
More satisfied with life
In the other study, 17 patients went through an eight-week program in mindfulness-based stress reduction, and then a follow-up program for a further eight months. Patients who completed the program became more satisfied with their lives, enjoyed restful minds, and a greater insight into how to achieve balance between activity and rest.
“It’s difficult to change habits and continue with regular meditation on your own, particularly for a person who is suffering from mental fatigue. This makes it even more difficult to take initiatives. The purpose of the follow-up program was to give more long-term support, and it turned out that this paid off,” says Birgitta Johansson.
The two studies are presented in the book När hjärnan inte orkar – om hjärntrötthet (“When the brain can’t cope – mental fatigue”). Scientists Birgitta Johansson and Lars Rönnbäck describe how the book has been written since there is far too little knowledge available for patients who suffer from mental fatigue.
“Very few treatment studies have been carried out, and knowledge about how mental fatigue is to be treated is largely based on learning to live with the problem, rest a lot, and use smart strategies to reduce energy expenditure. For many people, however, this does not give sufficient help, and this is why it’s necessary to collect all research results into one book,” says Lars Rönnbäck.
Treatment over the internet
The scientists are currently carrying out follow-up studies to evaluate the long-term effects of methylphenidate, and to determine whether long-term treatment leads to undesired effects. The next stage will be to carry out trials in which the treatment is started early, in the hope of preventing mental fatigue.
“We are also interested in testing mindfulness over the internet, since this would be a way of reaching more patients, no matter where they live,” says Birgitta Johansson.
The book När hjärnan inte orkar – om hjärntrötthet (“When the brain can’t cope – mental fatigue”) has been published by Recito and can be ordered on the website of the research group http://www.mf.gu.se/
By: Krister Svahn
Link to a scientific article about mindfulness and mental fatigue
Link to a scientific article about methylphenidate and mental fatigue
MENTAL FATIGUE
Mental fatigue describes the condition in which the brain cannot cope with sorting and processing incoming information in an effective and energy-efficient manner. Mental fatigue differs from normal fatigue, which anyone can experience after hard mental exercise, in that people who suffer from mental fatigue cannot do anything about their paralysed mental condition: a cup of coffee or talking about something else doesn’t help. It has been suggested that mental fatigue is caused by disturbances in the function of the brain’s support cells, leading to a “locked” condition on the cellular level. This, in turn, leads to the total exhaustion that a person with mental fatigue experiences following overexertion.
