Psychostimulants for hypersomnia (excessive daytime sleepiness) in myotonic dystrophy (Cochrane Review)

A substantive amendment to this systematic review was last made on 21 August 2002. Cochrane reviews are regularly checked and updated if necessary.

Background: Excessive daytime sleepiness is a common symptom of myotonic dystrophy. Psychostimulants are drugs increasingly used to treat hypersomnia in myotonic dystrophy.

Objectives: To search systematically for, and combine all evidence from, randomised trials relating to the effects of psychostimulants in myotonic dystrophy patients with hypersomnia.

Search strategy: We searched the Cochrane Neuromuscular Disease Trial Register (searched May 2001) for randomised trials concerning psychostimulants in myotonic dystrophy, we searched of the bibliographies of identified papers and we contacted the authors of the papers.

Selection criteria: We considered all randomised or quasi randomised trials that have evaluated any type of psychostimulants (versus a placebo or no treatment) in children or adults with proven myotonic dystrophy and hypersomnia.

Data collection and analysis: Potentially relevant papers were scrutinised by two reviewers and the selection of eligible studies was agreed by them and a third reviewer. Data were extracted by one reviewer and checked by a second reviewer.

Main results: Primary outcomeWe found no trial that assessed the effect of a psychostimulant on the results of the maintenance of wakefulness tests.Secondary outcomesOnly one eligible trial was found. In this crossover double blind study of 10 patients with myotonic dystrophy, the efficacy of selegiline was evaluated against a placebo on the multiple sleep latency test. There was no difference between the selegiline and placebo periods in mean improvement in the multiple sleep latency test scale.

Reviewers' conclusions: There is no evidence to support the use of a psychostimulant to treat hypersomnia in myotonic dystrophy. Randomised trials are needed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of psychostimulants.

Citation: Annane D, Miller R, Barnes P. Psychostimulants for hypersomnia (excessive daytime sleepiness) in myotonic dystrophy (Cochrane Review). In: The Cochrane Library, Issue 3, 2003. Oxford: Update Software.

---

This is an abstract of a regularly updated, systematic review prepared and maintained by the Cochrane Collaboration. The full text of the review is available in The Cochrane Library (ISSN 1464-780X).

The Cochrane Library is designed and produced by Update Software Ltd.

Update Software Ltd, Summertown Pavilion, Middle Way, Oxford OX2 7LG, UK
(Tel:+44 1865 513902; Fax:+44 1865 516918)

File Reference: AB003218.htm