Efficacy of modafinil for cognitive enhancement in healthy adults: a meta-analysis

TAO Tianzhu; WANG Yi; XU Yuhai; ZHANG Guorong; DENG Lve; LIU Jun; YANG Xiaoming

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Medical Journal of the Chinese People Armed Police Forces ›› 2022, Vol. 33 ›› Issue (1) : 22-26.

Efficacy of modafinil for cognitive enhancement in healthy adults: a meta-analysis

TAO Tianzhu^1,2, WANG Yi¹, XU Yuhai¹, ZHANG Guorong², DENG Lve³, LIU Jun³, YANG Xiaoming¹

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Abstract

Objective To determine the efficacy of modafinil for cognitive enhancement in healthy adults by means of literature retrieval and meta-analysis. Methods Such databases as Pubmed, Web of Science and Cochrane Library were extensively searched. Eligible randomized clinical trials that evaluated the efficacy of modafinil versus placebo for cognitive function in healthy adults were included and analyzed by using RevMan5.4. Results A total of 14 trials involving 7 crossover studies(n=248) and 7 parallel studies(n=328, 143 of the cases received modafinil and 185 received placebo) were included in the final analysis. Generic inverse variance meta-analysis indicated that there was statistically significant difference in the overall effect between modafinil and placebo(SMD=0.11, 95%CI=0.02-0.21,Z=2.46,P=0.01,I²= 70%). Subgroup analysis did not indicate significant difference in cognitive function tests between different groups. Conclusions Modafinil can help improve cognition to some extent. Because of the limited evidence available, further studies are needed to elucidate the applicability of modafinil as a “smart” drug.

Key words

modafinil / cognitive function / healthy people / meta-analysis

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TAO Tianzhu, WANG Yi, XU Yuhai, ZHANG Guorong, DENG Lve, LIU Jun, YANG Xiaoming. Efficacy of modafinil for cognitive enhancement in healthy adults: a meta-analysis[J]. Medical Journal of the Chinese People Armed Police Forces. 2022, 33(1): 22-26

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