Targeting inflammation as a treatment modality for neuropathic pain in spinal cord injury: a randomized clinical trial

• Published in: Journal of neuroinflammation 2016-06, Vol.13 (1), p.152-152, Article 152
• Main Authors: Allison, David J, Thomas, Aysha, Beaudry, Kayleigh, Ditor, David S
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Antioxidants - administration & dosage; Care and treatment; Clinical trials; Complications and side effects; Diet, Carbohydrate-Restricted - methods; Diet, Protein-Restricted - methods; Female; Humans; Inflammation; Inflammation Mediators - antagonists & inhibitors; Inflammation Mediators - blood; Male; Middle Aged; Neuralgia - blood; Neuralgia - diagnosis; Neuralgia - diet therapy; Risk factors; Spinal cord injuries; Spinal Cord Injuries - blood; Spinal Cord Injuries - diagnosis; Spinal Cord Injuries - diet therapy; Treatment Outcome
• ISSN: 1742-2094; 1742-2094
• DOI: 10.1186/s12974-016-0625-4

The purpose of the present study was to examine the effectiveness of an anti-inflammatory intervention as a treatment for neuropathic pain following spinal cord injury (SCI). This randomized, parallel-group, controlled clinical trial (NCT02099890) examined 20 participants with varying levels and severities of SCI, randomized (3:2) to either a 12-week anti-inflammatory diet, or control group. Outcome measures consisted of self-determined indices of pain as assessed using the neuropathic pain questionnaire (NPQ) and markers of inflammation as assessed by various pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, as well as the eicosanoids PGE2 and LTB4. A significant group × time interaction was found for sensory pain scores (p