Assessment and management of fatigue in neuromuscular disease.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to explore whether Coenzyme Q10 could improve neuromuscular function and reduce fatigue in patients with neuromuscular disease.
Results Summary
The abstract suggests that Coenzyme Q10, among other nutraceutical agents, may improve neuromuscular function and reduce fatigue, but no specific results or statistical significance are provided.
Population
Patients with neuromuscular disease (NMD) experiencing fatigue.
Effective Dosage
Not available
Duration
Not available
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
low-intensity exercise training | increase | physical and psychological functioning | patients with NMD | - | might include | #1 |
cognitive therapy | increase | physical and psychological functioning | patients with NMD | - | might include | #2 |
treatment of associated depression | increase | physical and psychological functioning | patients with NMD | - | might include | #3 |
correction of risk factors such as obesity, poor nutrition, and inactivity (deconditioning) | increase | physical and psychological functioning | patients with NMD | - | might include | #4 |
noninvasive, positive pressure ventilation | decrease | fatigue | patients with NMD | - | may reduce | #5 |
modafinil | decrease | fatigue | patients with NMD | - | may be a helpful pharmacological treatment | #6 |
creatine monohydrate | increase | neuromuscular function | - | - | may also improve | #7 |
creatine monohydrate | decrease | fatigue | - | - | may also reduce | #8 |
coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) | increase | neuromuscular function | - | - | may also improve | #9 |
coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) | decrease | fatigue | - | - | may also reduce | #10 |
alpha-lipoic acid | increase | neuromuscular function | - | - | may also improve | #11 |
alpha-lipoic acid | decrease | fatigue | - | - | may also reduce | #12 |
Fatigue is a common and potentially debilitating symptom of neuromuscular disease (NMD). Studies show that patients with NMD subjectively report increased levels of fatigue. Laboratory testing has demonstrated that patients with NMD show objective physiological signs of increased fatigue, with both central and peripheral components. To date, no treatment has been proven to be truly effective through evidence-based medicine. Thus, the clinician must use a multimodality approach to treating fatigue in patients with NMD. Management interventions are generally based on a sequential approach including treatment of comorbid factors, with the goal of maximizing physical and psychological functioning. This might include low-intensity exercise training, cognitive therapy, treatment of associated depression, correction of risk factors such as obesity, poor nutrition, and inactivity (deconditioning). Optimizing cardiopulmonary function is also critical and measures such as noninvasive, positive pressure ventilation may reduce fatigue in patients with NMD. Novel medications such as modafinil, a nonamphetamine stimulant, may be a helpful pharmacological treatment. Nutraceutical agents, such as creatine monohydrate, coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), and alpha-lipoic acid, may also improve neuromuscular function and reduce fatigue.