A clinical randomized case-control study of donepezil in the treatment of aphasia after stroke

Abstract

Objective To explore the efficacy and safety of the donepezil hydrochloride in the treatment of post-stroke aphasia. Methods 60 patients with post-stroke aphasia were divided randomly into donepezil hydrochloride group (30 cases) and control group (30 cases). Trail group patients were received 5 mg per time, and once a day for oral administration of 2 weeks.From the third week they were received 10 mg per time, once a day, for continuous 10 weeks, and finally implemented four weeks washout period. The control group patients were received conventional treatment of neurology. The language function of patients were assessed with the Western Aphasia Battery (WAB) and the adverse reactions after treatment were evaluated by Treatment Emergent Symptom Scale (TESS). Assessments were implemented at the three time points, the start of trail, 12 weeks, a washout period of 4 weeks. Results After 12 weeks of treatment, the AQ, PQ, CQ scores of WAB in the experimental group were (91.35±8.14), (32.74±8.12), (91.53±7.89). After 4-week washout period, they were (94.69±5.21), (33.70±4.94), (93.33±5.59) respectively. After the trail for 12 and 16 weeks, the score of each WAB item in the trail group was significantly higher than that before treatment. Compared with the control group, there was significant difference between the two groups(P<0.01). The trail group had no significant adverse reactions. Conclusion Donepezil hydrochloride in the early treatment of post-stroke aphasia is safe, effective and the therapeutic effect is stable. Key words: Donepezil hydrochloride; Stroke; Aphasia