Methylphenidate and Memory and Attention Adaptation Training for persistent cognitive symptoms after traumatic brain injury: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial

Authors

Brenna C. McDonald, Indiana University School of MedicineFollow
Laura A. Flashman, Geisel School of Medicine, Hanover, NHFollow
David B. Arciniegas, Baylor College of MedicineFollow
Robert J. Ferguson, University of PittsburghFollow
Li Xing, Indiana University School of MedicineFollow
Jaroslaw Harezlak, Indiana University School of MedicineFollow
Gwen C. Sprehn, Indiana University School of MedicineFollow
Flora M. Hammond, Indiana University School of MedicineFollow
Arthur C. Maerlender, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Carrie L. Kruck, Geisel School of Medicine, Hanover, NHFollow
Karen L. Gillock, Geisel School of Medicine, Hanover, NHFollow
Kim Frey, Craig Hospital, Englewood, COFollow
Rachel N. Wall, Indiana University School of MedicineFollow
Andrew J. Saykin, Indiana University School of MedicineFollow
Thomas W. McAllister, Indiana University School of MedicineFollow

Date of this Version

11-22-2016

Document Type

Article

Citation

Brenna C McDonald, Laura A Flashman, David B Arciniegas, Robert J Ferguson, Li Xing, Jaroslaw Harezlak, Gwen C Sprehn, Flora M Hammond, Arthur C Maerlender, Carrie L Kruck, Karen L Gillock, Kim Frey, Rachel N Wall, Andrew J Saykin, Thomas W McAllister, Methylphenidate and Memory and Attention Adaptation Training for Persistent Cognitive Symptoms after Traumatic Brain Injury: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial, Neuropsychopharmacology accepted article preview 22 November 2016; doi: 10.1038/npp.2016.261.

Comments

© 2016 Macmillan Publishers Limited. Used by permission.

Abstract

The purpose of this multicenter, prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled study was to evaluate and compare the efficacy of two cognitive rehabilitation interventions (Memory and Attention Adaptation Training (MAAT) and Attention Builders Training (ABT)), with and without pharmacologic enhancement (i.e., with methylphenidate (MPH) or placebo), for treating persistent cognitive problems after traumatic brain injury (TBI). Adults with a history of TBI at least four months prior to study enrollment with either objective cognitive deficits or subjective cognitive complaints were randomized to receive MPH or placebo and MAAT or ABT, yielding four treatment combinations: MAAT/MPH (N=17), ABT/MPH (N=19), MAAT/placebo (N=17), and ABT/placebo (N=18). Assessments were conducted pre-treatment (baseline) and after six weeks of treatment (post-treatment). Outcome measures included scores on neuropsychological measures and subjective rating scales. Statistical analyses used linear regression models to predict post-treatment scores for each outcome variable by treatment type, adjusting for relevant covariates. Statistically significant (p<0.05) treatment-related improvements in cognitive functioning were found for word list learning (MAAT/placebo>ABT/placebo), nonverbal learning (MAAT/MPH>MAAT/placebo and MAAT/MPH>ABT/MPH), and auditory working memory and divided attention (MAAT/MPH>ABT/MPH). These results suggest that combined treatment with metacognitive rehabilitation (MAAT) and pharmacotherapy (MPH) can improve aspects of attention, episodic and working memory, and executive functioning after TBI.