Gao, L., Yang, Y.J., Xu, H.Y., Zhou, J., Hong, H., Wang, Y.L., & Li, D.C. (2014). A randomized clinical trial of nerve block to manage end-stage pancreatic cancerous pain. Tumour, 35, 2297–2301.
To determine the effectiveness of nerve blocks to control pain in patients with end-stage pancreatic cancer pain
Patients were randomized to two groups, the sham and nerve block groups. Visual Analog Scale (VAS) pain scores, pain duration, reduction of other analgesics, and quality of life scores (measured by the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire [EORTC QLQ-C30]) were obtained before and three months after intervention.
Sham-controlled, randomized, controlled trial
This study presents a potential additional intervention in combination with pain medication in patients with end-stage pancreatic cancer-associated pain. Additional potential benefits could be the improvement of physical and emotional function, fatigue, insomnia, and loss of appetite. This study would have to be replicated with a larger sample size to prove efficacy.
This type of therapy presents a potential intervention in combination with pain medication for pain control in end-stage pancreatic cancer based on this randomized, controlled trial. After-care of a patient with a nerve block would require training. An assessment of the adjustment of other medicinal treatments would be required at baseline in this intervention.