Evidence that amphetamine with physical therapy promotes recovery of motor function in stroke patients.

We conducted a double-blind pilot study of 8 patients with established cerebral infarction to evaluate the effect of a single dose of amphetamine on recovery of motor function using the Fugl-Meyer scale. Four patients received amphetamine; the rest were given placebo. All underwent a session of physical therapy. Patients treated with amphetamine obtained greater increments in motor scores than the controls. Along with animal studies, these findings may allow the development of a pharmacological approach to stroke rehabilitation.