Avolition affects quality of life in chronic schizophrenia. We investigated the 
effect of modafinil upon unconstrained motor activity in 18 male patients. In a 
randomised crossover design study, wrist-worn actigraphic monitors were used to 
objectively record motor activity over a 20 h period. Patients' total activity 
was significantly greater when given the drug. These data suggest that modafinil 
increases quantifiable motor behaviour in schizophrenia and may have an impact 
on avolition.