Management Of Central Poststroke Pain Research Articles

CENTRAL POST-STROKE PAIN: A SCOPING REVIEW

Introduction: Central post-stroke pain (CPSP) is a neuropathic pain syndrome that can affect individuals who have suffered a stroke and which is still under-recognized by doctors. CPSP has an estimated prevalence of 11% and is more common in lesions involving the thalamus. Diagnosis is challenging due to the variable clinical manifestations and the lack of specific diagnostic criteria. The study aims to gather up-to-date information on this condition and highlight the importance of its early recognition. Methodology: This is a descriptive review of the literature in Medline databases, including articles from 2014 to 2024. A total of 468 articles were initially found, of which 43 were selected after applying inclusion and exclusion criteria. Results and discussion: Risk factors were identified as involvement of the spinothalamic pathway, presence of sensory deficits, female gender, young age, and initial stroke severity. The clinical characteristics of CPSP include pain and sensory abnormalities in the regions corresponding to the injured brain territory. The differential diagnosis includes other etiologies, such as post-stroke spasticity, complex regional pain syndrome, headache and shoulder pain. CPSP has a significant impact on quality of life and is associated with psychological disorders and functional limitations. Conclusion: It is understood that early recognition and appropriate management of CPSP are essential for improving patients' quality of life, highlighting the need for clear diagnostic criteria and effective treatments.

PO128 / #1012 COMBINED MOTOR CORTEX AND SPINAL CORD STIMULATION IN CHRONIC POST-STROKE PAIN AND NEUROPATHIC PAIN: E-POSTER VIEWING

Management of central post-stroke pain (CPSP), remains a challenging issue. When combined with other forms of neuropathic pain, it even imposes a bigger challenge. Several options from Deep Brain Stimulation to Motor cortex Stimulation (MCS) have been used with variable outcomes.

The prevalence and management of central post-stroke pain at a hospital in Zimbabwe.

Central post-stroke pain (CPSP) is a poorly diagnosed chronic pain. It is under-treated and usually mismanaged. To establish the prevalence of CPSP and its management in stroke clinics at a tertiary hospital. This was a cross-sectional design with stroke patients and health professionals from the stroke clinic at the tertiary hospital in Zimbabwe. Out of 166 stroke survivors, 8% had CPSP. Younger age (<60 years) was significantly associated with CPSP (P<0.003). Pain characteristics of CPSP were hyperaesthesia (10, 71%), electric shocks (9, 64%), temperature allodynia (9, 64%) and allodynia (12, 86%). Ten health professionals participated in the study: one (10%) reported using Douleur Neuropathique 4 (to diagnose neuropathic pain) and two (20%) reported using sensory tests. Four patients (44%) were on paracetamol (acetaminophen) and on weak opiates such as codeine. None of the patients were on anticonvulsants or antidepressants. Two medical doctors (50%) used weak opiates as second-line management. Five patients (36%) reported receiving a combination of massage, stretching, general exercise and moist heat or cryotherapy. The prevalence of CPSP in the study group is within international range. There is a need for appropriate management and use of tests and outcome measures for diagnosis of CPSP.

Animal models for central poststroke pain: a critical comprehensive review.

Central poststroke pain (CPSP) is a severe type of neuropathic pain that can develop after stroke and is difficult to treat. Research into its underlying mechanisms and treatment options could benefit from a valid CPSP animal model. Nine different CPSP animal models have been published, but there are relatively few reports on successful reproductions of these models and so far only little advances in the understanding or the management of CPSP have been made relying on these models. In general, the construct validity (similarity in underlying mechanisms) of these CPSP animal models is relatively high, although this cannot be evaluated into depth because of lack of understanding the mechanisms through which thalamic stroke can lead to CPSP. The face validity (symptom similarity) is relatively low, mainly because pain in these models is tested almost exclusively through evoked mechanical/thermal hypersensitivity assessed by reflexive measures and given the conflicting results with similar tests in patients with CPSP. The predictive validity (similarity in treatment efficacy) has not been evaluated in most models and incorporates difficulties that are specific to CPSP. We compare the different models regarding these types of validity and discuss the robustness, reproducibility, and problems regarding the design and reporting of the articles establishing these models. We conclude with various proposals on how to improve the validity and reproducibility of CPSP animal models. Until further improvements are achieved, prudence is called for in interpreting results obtained through these models.

Management of Central Poststroke Pain: Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Central poststroke pain is a chronic neuropathic disorder that follows a stroke. Current research on its management is limited, and no review has evaluated all therapies for central poststroke pain. We conducted a systematic review of randomized controlled trials to evaluate therapies for central poststroke pain. We identified eligible trials, in any language, by systematic searches of AMED, CENTRAL, CINAHL, DARE, EMBASE, HealthSTAR, MEDLINE, and PsychINFO. Eligible trials (1) enrolled ≥10 patients with central poststroke pain; (2) randomly assigned them to an active therapy or a control arm; and (3) collected outcome data≥14 days after treatment. Pairs of reviewers, independently and in duplicate, screened titles and abstracts of identified citations, reviewed full texts of potentially eligible trials, and extracted information from eligible studies. We used a modified Cochrane tool to evaluate risk of bias of eligible studies, and collected patient-important outcomes according to recommendations by the Initiative on Methods, Measurement, and Pain Assessment in Clinical Trials. We conducted, when possible, random effects meta-analyses, and evaluated our certainty in treatment effects using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation System. Eight eligible English language randomized controlled trials (459 patients) tested anticonvulsants, an antidepressant, an opioid antagonist, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation, and acupuncture. Results suggested that all therapies had little to no effect on pain and other patient-important outcomes. Our certainty in the treatment estimates ranged from very low to low. Our findings are inconsistent with major clinical practice guidelines; the available evidence suggests no beneficial effects of any therapies that researchers have evaluated in randomized controlled trials.

Although pharmacological treatment may have beneficial effects in central post-stroke pain, it does not abolish the symptoms

The management of central post-stroke pain is challenging. Amitriptyline is considered the first-line pharmacological choice, with lamotrigine, gabapentin and pregabalin used as alternative therapies. If the therapeutic response with monotherapy is insufficient, combination therapy (e.g. an adrenergic antidepressant plus an antiepileptic) may be considered.

Safety and efficacy of pregabalin in patients with central post-stroke pain

Pregabalin has demonstrated efficacy in several forms of neuropathic pain, but its long-term efficacy in central post-stroke pain (CPSP) is unproven. We evaluated the efficacy and safety of pregabalin versus placebo in patients with CPSP. A 13-week, randomized, double-blind, multicenter, placebo-controlled, parallel group study of 150 to 600 mg/day pregabalin was conducted in patients aged ⩾18 years with CPSP. The primary efficacy endpoint was the mean pain score on the Daily Pain Rating Scale over the last 7 days on study drug up to week 12 or early termination visit. Secondary endpoints included other pain parameters and patient-reported sleep and health-related quality-of-life measures. A total of 219 patients were treated (pregabalin n = 110; placebo n = 109). A mean pain score at baseline of 6.5 in the pregabalin group and 6.3 in the placebo group reduced at endpoint to 4.9 in the pregabalin group and 5.0 in the placebo group (LS mean difference = –0.2; 95% CI = –0.7, 0.4; P = 0.578). Treatment with pregabalin resulted in significant improvements, compared with placebo, on secondary endpoints including MOS-sleep, HADS-A anxiety, and clinician global impression of change (CGIC) P < 0.05. Adverse events were more frequent with pregabalin than with placebo and caused discontinuation in 9 (8.2%) of pregabalin patients versus 4 (3.7%) of placebo patients. Although pain reductions at endpoint did not differ significantly between pregabalin and placebo, improvements in sleep, anxiety, and CGIC suggest some utility of pregabalin in the management of CPSP. Pain reductions at endpoint did not differ significantly between pregabalin and placebo, but improvements in comorbid conditions suggest some utility of pregabalin in central post-stroke pain management.

Poster 223: A Multidisciplinary Approach to Management of Central Post-Stroke Pain: A Case Report

Setting: Outpatient clinic. Patient: The patient is a 40-year-old woman who developed central post-stroke pain (CPSP) 1.5 months following right basal ganglia hemorrhage. Initial presentation included intermittent dysesthesias, burning pain, and hyperalgesia confined to the hemiplegic side, especially notable in left foot and arm. Spasticity, psychosocial stressors, anxiety, insomnia, and musculoskeletal pain further complicated her case. Her pain became difficult to manage and she was referred to a pain program.

The management of central post-stroke pain

Central post-stroke pain (CPSP) used to be known as 'thalamic syndrome'. Early post-mortem studies showed that many cases had extrathalamic lesions, and modern imaging methods have confirmed and extended these findings. CPSP affects between 2 and 6% of stroke patients, ie, there is an annual incidence in the UK of between 2000 and 6000. Most patients with CPSP appear to be younger than the general stroke population, and usually to have relatively mild motor affliction; thus they may live for many years, giving a prevalence perhaps as high as 20,000. True CPSP, characterised by a partial or total deficit for thermal and/or sharpness sensations, is best treated initially with adrenergically active antidepressants. If these do not work, mexiletine may be added in suitable cases. Recent studies suggest that stimulation of the motor cortex or spinal cord by implanted electrodes may help patients resistant to medical treatment. Positive relaxation, as an adjuvant therapy, should be used in nearly all cases. Considerable or even total relief can be achieved in almost two thirds of patients. There is evidence that the sooner antidepressant treatment is begun, the more likely the patient is to respond; time should not be wasted trying conventional analgesics, which rarely have any significant effect.