Does Acupuncture Activate Endogenous Pain Inhibition in Chronic Whiplash?

Status Completed

Clinical Trial Summary

This physiological study examines whether acupuncture exerts short-term effects of analgesic mechanisms in patients with chronic whiplash pain. More specifically, it is examined whether acupuncture activates brain-orchestrated pain inhibitory action.

Clinical Trial Description

Many patients with chronic pain, including those with chronic whiplash-associated disorders (WAD), show features of central sensitization (CS), a process characterized by generalized hypersensitivity of the somatosensory system. it would be worthwhile identifying treatments able of activating the dysfunctional endogenous pain inhibition in patients with CS and chronic WAD.

Acupuncture is a treatment method widely used for patients with chronic pain, including those with chronic WAD. The effectiveness of acupuncture for the treatment of chronic (neck) pain is supported by several randomized controlled clinical trials, systematic reviews including meta-analyses. However, the effect-sizes are rather small and only short-term effects have been shown consistently.

A randomized cross-over trial comparing acupuncture with relaxation is conducted in order to examine whether acupuncture vs. relaxation for patients with chronic WAD results in:

1. Immediate activation of endogenous pain inhibition (i.e. conditioned pain modulation);

2. Concomitant pain relief;

3. And reduced disability level. Further it is examined whether acupuncture vs. relaxation results in different autonomic nervous system responses. ;

Study Design

Allocation: Randomized, Endpoint Classification: Efficacy Study, Intervention Model: Crossover Assignment, Masking: Double Blind (Investigator, Outcomes Assessor), Primary Purpose: Treatment

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

Clinical Trial Details

NCT number	NCT01512576
Study type	Interventional
Source	Vrije Universiteit Brussel
Contact
Status	Completed
Phase	Phase 2
Start date	January 2011
Completion date	December 2011

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