Effect of Topical Capsaicin in Chronic Low Back and Posterior Neck Pain.
- Author:
Min Young KIM
1
;
Young Moo NA
;
Seoung Woong KANG
;
Jae Ho MOON
Author Information
1. Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Korea.
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Capsaicin cream;
Chronic low back pain;
Chronic posterior neck pain
- MeSH:
Capsaicin*;
Chronic Pain;
Humans;
Neck Pain*;
Rehabilitation
- From:Journal of the Korean Academy of Rehabilitation Medicine
1997;21(3):511-517
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of topically applied capsaicin cream for the treatment of chronic low back and posterior neck pain. Fourty-one patients with chronic low back or posterior neck pain of more than 6 months despite comprehensive management in our rehabilitation department were selected for this study. Of these subjects, a group of 21 patients used capsaicin cream, and the other 21 patients used NSAID gel as a control group. Pain intensities in both groups were measured with the visual analogue scale(VAS) before the treatment, 2 weeks and 5 weeks after the treatment. McGill Pain Questionnaire(MPQ) was used before and 5 weeks after the treatment. According to followed-up VAS, MPQ-number of words chosen, and MPQ-pain rating index, there was an evidence of effective pain relief by capsaicin cream for the low back and posterior neck pain 5 weeks after the treatment. We conclude that continuous use of capsaicin cream for 5 weeks can be beneficial for the chronic pain patients in relieving pain and subsequently helping their rehabilitation process.
