Topical capsaicin for chronic neck pain. A pilot study.

Abstract

Substance P is thought to be the principle neurotransmitter of nociceptive impulses in type C sensory neurons. Prolonged repeated applications of capsaicin cream depletes the sensory C-fibers of substance P. In an open-labeled prospective pilot study, 23 patients with chronic neck pain (greater than 3 mo) completed the study. Patients applied topical capsaicin (0.025%) cream four times a day to painful areas in the neck and shoulder girdle for a 5-wk treatment period. One patient dropped out because of intolerable burning. Statistically significant improvement was obtained in two primary outcome variables, the visual analog pain scale (P = 0.00013) and the pain relief scale (P = 0.002). Paired t tests failed to show a significant improvement in the McGill Pain Questionnaire. This study demonstrated that topically applied capsaicin cream may decrease subjective neck pain. A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial is needed to confirm this treatment effect.

• Authors: B J Mathias, T R Dillingham, D N Zeigler, A S Chang, P V Belandres
• Journal: American journal of physical medicine & rehabilitation (Am J Phys Med Rehabil) 1995 Jan-Feb Vol. 74 Issue 1 Pg. 39-44 ISSN: 0894-9115 [Print] United States
• PMID: 7532951 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Substance P
• Capsaicin

Topics

• Administration, Topical
• Analysis of Variance
• Capsaicin (administration & dosage)
• Chronic Disease
• Female
• Fibromyalgia (drug therapy)
• Humans
• Male
• Myofascial Pain Syndromes (drug therapy)
• Neck
• Nociceptors (physiology)
• Pain (drug therapy)
• Pain Measurement
• Pilot Projects
• Prospective Studies
• Substance P (metabolism)