Methylphenidate versus placebo for fatigue in patients with advanced cancer: the MePFAC randomised controlled trial

Stone P, Minton O, Richardson A, Buckle P, Enayat ZE, Marston L, Freemantle N
Record ID 32018014423
English
Authors' objectives: Previous meta-analyses suggested methylphenidate may be effective for cancer-related fatigue. To estimate clinical effectiveness of methylphenidate versus placebo for cancer-related fatigue in patients receiving palliative care.
Authors' results and conclusions: Numbers randomised Eighty-four were allocated to methylphenidate and 78 to placebo. Methylphenidate did not reduce fatigue severity in patients with advanced cancer at 6 (± 2) weeks but was safe and well tolerated.
Authors' methods: Participants were adults with advanced cancer with cancer-related fatigue receiving palliative care at 17 palliative care services in England between June 2018 and April 2023. Methylphenidate 5 mg tablets or matching placebo. Starting at 1 tablet twice daily, titrated over 6 weeks to a maximum of 12 tablets/day. Participants were highly selected due to multiple exclusion criteria. The choice of 5-point difference in Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy – Fatigue Scale score as clinically significant primary outcome may be debated.
Details
Project Status: Completed
URL for project: https://www.journalslibrary.nihr.ac.uk/programmes/hta/NIHR135856
Year Published: 2025
URL for published report: https://www.journalslibrary.nihr.ac.uk/hta/GJPS6321
URL for additional information: English
English language abstract: An English language summary is available
Publication Type: Full HTA
Country: England, United Kingdom
DOI: 10.3310/GJPS6321
MeSH Terms
  • Neoplasms
  • Fatigue
  • Methylphenidate
  • Central Nervous System Stimulants
  • Palliative Care
Contact
Organisation Name: NIHR Health Technology Assessment programme
Contact Address: NIHR Journals Library, National Institute for Health and Care Research, Evaluation, Trials and Studies Coordinating Centre, Alpha House, University of Southampton Science Park, Southampton SO16 7NS, UK
Contact Name: journals.library@nihr.ac.uk
Contact Email: journals.library@nihr.ac.uk
This is a bibliographic record of a published health technology assessment from a member of INAHTA or other HTA producer. No evaluation of the quality of this assessment has been made for the HTA database.