The Use of Mexidol in Patients with Mild (Moderate) Cognitive Impairment: Results of a Meta-Analysis

Objective. To conduct a meta-analysis of the efficacy of Mexidol therapy in patients with chronic cerebral ischemia (CCI) and mild (moderate) cognitive impairment (CI). Materials and methods. This meta-analysis includes the results of studies of the efficacy of Mexidol in CI, whose severity was assessed using the MoCA scale. The pooled effect estimate included all publications from independent clinical trials reporting efficacy data based on MoCA results at a level sufficient to support further statistical analysis. The main result of the meta-analysis was obtained for the final values of this efficacy indicator in a group of patients receiving Mexidol in comparison with a basal therapy group. Results. The meta-analysis included the results of 10 prospective clinical studies of the efficacy of Mexidol on the background of basal therapy in patients with CCI and mild (moderate) CI. The study group consisted of 482 patients and the reference group 455. Using a random effects statistical model, the effect size was 2.06 points, with a 95% CI for the between-group difference in efficacy of [0.98; 3.14] points (p = 0.0002). Conclusions. A statistically significant improvement in the cognitive functions of patients with CCI was demonstrated with the use of Mexidol.