Takahashi, H., & Shimoyama, N. (2010). A prospective open-label trial of gabapentin as an adjuvant analgesic with opioids for Japanese patients with neuropathic cancer pain. International Journal of Clinical Oncology, 15, 46–51.
To assess the usefulness of gabapentin in the treatment of cancer-related neuropathic pain
Patients who met the eligibility criteria of a score of 5 or greater on a numeric pain rating scale were entered. Gabapentin was begun at baseline at 200 mg and titrated to a maximum dose of 2,400 mg per day. Patients were asked to keep a pain diary and were assessed by a clinician throughout the 15-day study period.
The study was conducted in a single-site inpatient setting in Japan.
This was an open-label, prospective study.
Measurements included a numeric pain rating scale using the Brief Pain Inventory, the McGill Pain Questionnaire, a numeric pain relief scale, and the Patient Global Impression of Change scale.
A significant reduction was noted at various time points for worst, least, and average pain on the numeric scale (p < 0.004). Mean change in scores from baseline ranged from 0.6 to 1.3. No differences were found in any other outcome measure.
A statistical reduction in pain occurred as measured on the five-point numeric rating scale; however, the change was relatively small.
The study findings do not provide strong support for the effectiveness of gabapentin for the management of cancer-related neuropathic pain or other symptoms.