Rabaeys H, Bijleveld H, Devroey D. The influence of methylphenidate on the frequency of stuttering: a randomized controlled trial. Annals of Pharmacotherapy. 2015 (Accepted)
Eerste auteur: Rabaeys H.
Jaar: 2015
Type: Publicatie
Abstract:
Background: Recently, a case report described a decrease in frequency of stuttering after intake of methylphenidate (MPH).
Objective: This study was undertaken to investigate if this effect could again be reproduced in a population of young healthy male adult persons with developmental stuttering (PWDS).
Methods: A double-blind randomised cross-over trial, with a two week wash-out period, including 15 Dutch speaking young healthy PWDS, assessed the effects of a single dose of 20mg MPH compared to placebo on their stuttering. A dependent and a one sample t-test have been used to detect significant differences. The endpoint was the number of stutter moments and the self-perceived improvement.
Results: MPH gave a significant decrease of the number of stutter moments when reading and speaking (P= 0.002), which was not the case with placebo (P= 0.090). There was a significant improvement from baseline after intake of MPH, as compared to placebo (P= 0.003). The self-perceived improvement with MPH was not significant better, as compared to placebo (P= 0.28).
Conclusions: This study showed that the participants had an objective statistically significant decrease of the frequency of stuttering with MPH and this was not the case with placebo. This was the case for a reduction in stutter moments when reading out loud and speaking spontaneously. However, this result was not subjectively perceived by the participants.
Trefwoorden: developmental stuttering; methylphenidate; stuttering; treatment; D-amphetamine