Shaw, E.G., Rosdhal, R., D'Agostino, R.B., Lovato, J., Naughton, M.J., Robbins, M.E., & Rapp, S.R. (2006). Phase II study of donepezil in irradiated brain tumor patients: Effect on cognitive function, mood, and quality of life. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 24, 1415–1420.
Participants initially were given donepezil 5 mg per day. After 6 weeks, dosage was increased to 10 mg per day for a total of 18 weeks. Treatment then was discontinued for a six-week washout period. Patients, therefore, served as their own control at two points (baseline and post-washout). After week 30, patients were given the choice to continue using donepezil at 10 mg per day. Patient outcomes were assessed at baseline and at week 6, 12, 24, and 30 (following the washout period).
The donepezil intervention group demonstrated a significant improvement in fatigue from baseline to 24 months as shown by the POMS subscale for fatigue (p = 0.03).