Treatment of post-traumatic cognitive disorders and asthenia: results of an observational study

Abstract

   Post-traumatic cognitive impairment (CI) and asthenia are common, disabling and often obligatory manifestations of traumatic brain injury (TBI). The search for effective drugs against CI and asthenia after TBI is of great importance.   Objective: to investigate the efficacy and safety of Prospekta in the treatment of post-traumatic CI and asthenia in real-life clinical practice.   Material and methods. The observational study involved 50 patients of both sexes aged 21–45 years (mean age 41.5 ± 5.9 years) with complaints of CI and fatigue after TBI received within the last 2 years, who were prescribed 1 tablet of Prospekta twice daily for 4 weeks. Cognitive functions, particularly the speed of attention switching, were assessed using the Schulte table method, visual-motor abilities were assessed using the Trail Making Test (TMT). Asthenic syndrome was assessed using the subjective asthenia rating scale (Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory, MFI-20). At the end of treatment, the safety of therapy and TBI outcomes were assessed using Dobrokhotova's differentiated TBI outcomes scale.   Results. The average time to complete the Schulte table technique after 4 weeks of therapy with Prospekta decreased by 16.2 seconds, part A of the TMT – by 6.6 seconds and part B – by 19.8 seconds (p < 0.0001). The average score on the MFI-20 scale decreased by an average of 8 points after 4 weeks of therapy (p < 0.0001), which was mainly due to an increase in motivation (by 22 %), activity (by 16 %) and a decrease in emotional lability (by 20 %). The average score on Dobrokhotova's differentiated TBI outcome scale at the end of therapy was 3.2 ± 1.2 (mild/moderate asthenia). Treatment with Prospekta halved the number of patients with clinically significant mental asthenia, reduced motivation and reduced activity after TBI. No adverse events were recorded.   Conclusion. The drug Prospekta can be recommended for monotherapy in patients with TBI to improve cognitive function and reduce asthenic syndrome in real-life clinical practice, contributing to the improvement of quality of life and functional activity of the injured individuals.