CAM for spinal cord injury pain

Researchers at the University Medical Centre Utrecht and De Hoogstraat, in The Netherlands surveyed the use of CAM in a large group of Dutch patients with spinal cord injury.

First, the details.

• 575 people with spinal cord injury were surveyed by mail.
• Questions covered current level of pain, past and current pain treatments, and perceived effectiveness of current pain treatments.

And, the results.

• Most respondents with chronic spinal cord injury pain (63%) reported more than 1 pain type, of which neuropathic pain was most frequently reported (69%).
• Of this group, 64% were using some kind of treatment, although high levels of pain were reported.
• Most often used CAM:
  • Massage (therapy)/relaxation (training)
• CAM most often perceived as effective:
  • Acupuncture/magnetizing
  • Cannabis/alcohol
  • Physiotherapy and exercise
  • Massage (therapy)/relaxation (training).
• Least often perceived as effective was TENS/ultrasound.

The bottom line?

Interestingly, these patients considered even the least effect CAM (TENS) to be more effective than antidepressants.

8/12/10 20:15 JR