A preliminary proof-of-concept trial on the effects of ketamine on fatigue: a randomized crossover trial.
Pharmacological reports : PR January 22, 2026 Taichi Goto, Joy D Kreskow, Alexander L R Ross et al.
A small pilot trial tested whether a single low dose of ketamine (0.5 mg/kg) can reduce fatigue in people with chronic illnesses such as cancer, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, or lupus. Ten participants received both ketamine and the active placebo midazolam in random order, with a washout period between treatments. Because fatigue levels differed between the two study periods, results were analyzed separately. In the first period, fatigue scores dropped 21.0% after ketamine and 17.7% after midazolam; in the second period, the drops were 10.9% and 12.6%, respectively. The differences were not statistically significant, but the ketamine group showed a peak 38.7% reduction one day after infusion. The authors suggest future studies avoid crossover designs and find a better active placebo.