Citalopram improves dexterity in chronic stroke patients.
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Citalopram improves dexterity in chronic stroke patients. / Zittel, Simone; Weiller, Cornelius; Liepert, Joachim.
In: NEUROREHAB NEURAL RE, Vol. 22, No. 3, 3, 2008, p. 311-314.Research output: SCORING: Contribution to journal › SCORING: Journal article › Research › peer-review
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TY - JOUR
T1 - Citalopram improves dexterity in chronic stroke patients.
AU - Zittel, Simone
AU - Weiller, Cornelius
AU - Liepert, Joachim
PY - 2008
Y1 - 2008
N2 - BACKGROUND: A majority of stroke patients have persisting motor deficits despite ongoing physiotherapy. Therefore, additional treatment options are desirable. OBJECTIVE: We investigated if the serotonin reuptake inhibitor, citalopram, would improve motor functions in chronic stroke patients. METHODS: In all, 8 patients >6 months after their stroke participated in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, single-dose crossover experiment. The order (first drug then placebo or vice versa) was randomized. Sessions were separated by at least 2 weeks. Motor function was assessed by nine-hole peg test, and measurements of hand grip-strength before drug intake, 2 hours after drug intake, and after 1 hour of training aimed at improving the function of the paretic hand. RESULTS: Compared with placebo, citalopram intake significantly improved performance of the nine-hole peg test for the paretic hand but not for the unaffected hand. Hand grip-strength remained unchanged. CONCLUSIONS: A single dose of citalopram can enhance dexterity in chronic stroke patients. This pilot study justifies a test of efficacy of citalopram in a larger group of stroke patients.
AB - BACKGROUND: A majority of stroke patients have persisting motor deficits despite ongoing physiotherapy. Therefore, additional treatment options are desirable. OBJECTIVE: We investigated if the serotonin reuptake inhibitor, citalopram, would improve motor functions in chronic stroke patients. METHODS: In all, 8 patients >6 months after their stroke participated in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, single-dose crossover experiment. The order (first drug then placebo or vice versa) was randomized. Sessions were separated by at least 2 weeks. Motor function was assessed by nine-hole peg test, and measurements of hand grip-strength before drug intake, 2 hours after drug intake, and after 1 hour of training aimed at improving the function of the paretic hand. RESULTS: Compared with placebo, citalopram intake significantly improved performance of the nine-hole peg test for the paretic hand but not for the unaffected hand. Hand grip-strength remained unchanged. CONCLUSIONS: A single dose of citalopram can enhance dexterity in chronic stroke patients. This pilot study justifies a test of efficacy of citalopram in a larger group of stroke patients.
M3 - SCORING: Zeitschriftenaufsatz
VL - 22
SP - 311
EP - 314
JO - NEUROREHAB NEURAL RE
JF - NEUROREHAB NEURAL RE
SN - 1545-9683
IS - 3
M1 - 3
ER -
