The Subacute Effect of Bromazepam on Psychomotor Activity and Subjective Mood

Abstract

In a double-blind study, fifty-five healthy, male medical students received a tranquillizer (bromazepam, ‘Lexotanil') or placebo according to dosage group (placebo, 1·5 mg and 3 mg bromazepam). The subjects were randomly allocated to three groups (placebo: n = 19; 1·5 mg: n = 19; and 3 mg: n = 17). Dependent variables tested were the subjective assessment of performance and the level of activation (self-rating), and aspects of psychomotor function were assessed using the standard testing devices. The medication was administered for a total of 14 days. The testing times reported here were: before start, and after 7 and 14 days of administration of verum or placebo. The subjective evaluation (self-rating) such as performance assessment and level of activation demonstrated no changes related to either the medication or the length of time elapsed. The objective measures of performance revealed two main effects: lengthening of time of reaction to optical stimuli during the course of the study, especially in the higher bromazepam dosage group (sedative effect). This sedative effect was, however, relatively weak since, despite this observation, there was a significant training effect in the 3 mg group with regard to attentiveness and alertness testing. The results were also evaluated for a possible effect on driving ability. In the group studied here and at the relatively low dosage administered, any possible negative influence can be disregarded.