Related Experiment Videos
Psychomotor and cognitive functioning in cancer patients
1Multidisciplinary Pain Center, National University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Acta Anaesthesiologica Scandinavica
|January 1, 1997
Summary
Opioid therapy for cancer pain can impair psychomotor and cognitive functions. Amphetamine derivatives may counteract these sedative side effects, especially in difficult-to-treat pain conditions.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Psychomotor and cognitive dysfunction in cancer patients stems from disease or treatment factors.
- Chronic opioid administration is a significant factor affecting cerebral function in cancer patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of chronic opioid therapy on psychomotor and cognitive functions in cancer patients.
- To explore the efficacy of amphetamine derivatives in counteracting opioid-induced side effects.
Main Methods:
- Review of early studies on opioid therapy and cognitive function.
- Analysis of dose-escalation effects of opioids.
- Examination of alternative opioid delivery methods (epidural).
- Investigation into the use of amphetamine derivatives as adjuncts.
Main Results:
- Chronic oral opioid therapy prolonged reaction times in cancer patients.
- Significant opioid dose increases transiently impaired psychomotor and cognitive functions.
- Epidural opioid therapy offered no clear advantages over oral therapy for reaction time or pain.
- Amphetamine derivatives show promise in mitigating opioid-induced sedation and cognitive impairment.
Conclusions:
- Opioid therapy, particularly at high doses, significantly impacts cancer patients' cognitive and psychomotor abilities.
- Amphetamine derivatives represent a potential strategy to manage these side effects, especially for incident and neuropathic pain.