Cognitive functioning in a hypnotic drug trial

摘要

AbstractIn a 2 week comparative trial between lormetazepam (LMA) and temazepam (TEM) in 162 insomniac patients, Critical Flicker Fusion Threshhold (CFFT) and Digit Symbol Substitution (DSS) tests were performed, pre‐treatment and at days 7 and 14. With neither drug was there any difference in CFFT, but highly significant improvement in DSS (p<0.001). Patients completed daily visual analogue scales concerned with various sleep parameters and daytime effects. Sleep was significantly improved with both drugs from day 1 onwards, as were daytime general wellbeing and alertness. There was significant improvement in daytime balance and coordination in the LMA group (p<0·001 by day 14) but not in the TEM group. Daytime anxiety improved significantly in both groups, but on day 14 this improvement was still significant in the LMA group (p<0·001) but not in the TEM group. The incidence of daytime fatigue (p<0·001), drowsiness (p<0·02) and headache (p<0·001) were significantlyreducedwith LMA and daytime fatigue (p<0·01) and headache (p<0·001) with TEM, but with no significant between group differences. Theseverityof daytime fatigue was significantly less with LMA than with TEM