Publication:

Comparative effectiveness study of vinpocetine vs. nimodipine on functional recovery in patients of head injury

Background Head injuries are increasing cause of overall disability which needs aggressive researches on neuroprotective agents to prevent or rectify the sequelae of brain damage. The outcomes on functional recovery following add on therapies either nimodipine or vinpocetine was done to compare merits of either therapies.

Methods 90 head injury cases admitted to S.S. hospital were divided into standard treatment group given neither vinpocetine nor nimodipine & other two groups given either nimodipine or vinpocetine dependent entirely on clinician’s discretion. The patients data on initial severity on GCS scale and functional recovery on Barthel Index, head injury watch scale, Disability rating score were collected at discharge & at one month follow up thereafter to compare the recovery profiles.

Results Vinpocetine treatment proved superior to nimodipine or standard treatment on examining the outcomes. Significance of time since injury was emphasized for improved outcome to nimodipine but not so necessary for vinpocetine.

Conclusions Nimodipine delayed administration had no consequence while vinpocetine is useful treatment at any stage to enhance functional recovery in cases of head injury.