Study: Fish oil reduces chronic pain in case studies

Reference

KO GD, Nowacki NB, Arseneau L, et al. Omega-3 fatty acids against neuropathic pain.

Design

uncontrolled case studies

participant

5 patients with chronic pain due to burns, stenosis of the spine, carpal tunnel syndrome, fibromyalgia or herniated disc

study medication and dosage

Combinations of EPA and DHA with a total dose of 2,400–7,200 mg/day, depending on the pain strength

primary result dimensions

McGill-pain frage arch, DN4 scales for neuropathic pain, the Pain Detect questionnaire, grip strength and tender point algometry

most important knowledge

In all cases, a significant reduction in pain was reported.

Case 1 concerned a patient with a herniated disc C6/C7 who compressed the right root of the C7 nerve, accompanied by a stenosis of the spine. A combined EPA+DHA dose of 4,800 mg/day over 8 months led to an increase in grip by 42 %, the power of triceps extension by 92 % and complete pain removal. The improvement started after 2.5 weeks.

case 2 concerned a patient with thoracic outlet syndrome and fibromyalgia. A combined EPA+DHA dose of 2,400 mg/day over 7 months led to a 43 percent pain reduction, measured based on the McGill pain questionnaire, and to a 60 percent increase in the handle on the affected side. A 13-month follow-up examination of the Pain Detect Questionnaire showed a 70 percent reduction in pain compared to the initial value and 80 percent reduction in DN4 pain.

In case 3, it was a patient who suffered from an accident -related herniated disc curvature C6/C7. X -rays also showed indications of a moderate to severe stenosis of the cervical spine. A combined EPA+DHA dose of 4,800 mg/day, which was later increased to 7,200 mg/day, over a period of 17 months led to a 90 percent reduction in the Pain Detect Questionnaire scores, a 65-percent pain reduction, measured with the McGill pain questionnaire, and an 8 percent increase in the handle Page.

Case 4 concerned a patient with pain due to a carpal tunnel syndrome. A combined EPA+DHA dose of 3,000 mg per day over 8 months led to a reduction in global symptom scores by 41 %. The patient improved sufficiently and returned to a full -time work schedule without surgery.

Case 5 concerned a patient with burns 1. and 2. degrees to 30 % of the total body surface. A combination of EPA+DHA (1,200 mg per 23 kg body weight) led to a reduction in pain values ​​by 25–53 % and an unspecified reduction of the morphindosis.

effects on practice

This is the first published report to examine the effects of omega-3 fatty acids on neuropathic pain. Various possible mechanisms were proposed that explain how EPA and DHA could alleviate such pain (e.g. blocking tension -controlled sodium channels), but to this day these mechanistic explanations remain hypothetical.

In this column, we basically avoid reporting on the results of case studies. A small number of subjects paired with a lack of placebo control or randomization or blinding of the observer and a lack of statistical analysis does not result in sufficient scientific support.

The results of case studies can, however, be due to further research and, as in this case, even to direct experiments on the part of medical specialists.

The results of case studies can, however, be due to further research and, as in this case, even to direct experiments on the part of medical specialists.

Treatment of patients with the chronic pain described in this case series can be difficult. The significant reductions reported here exceed chronic pain that could be expected solely by the placebo effect, and suggest that some readers of this column, if other therapies do not provide sufficient clinical results, could consider therapeutic attempts with high-dose EPA+DHA. Further evidence is required before it can be proven that omega-3 fatty acids relieve in cases such as the pain described here.