Use of Analgesic Treatment to Reduce Signs of Pain in Patients With Disorders of Consciousness.

Summary

The purpose of this study is to characterize and improve pain and nociception management in patients with disorders of consciousness (DOC). This project is divided into two phases, a first phase to evaluate pain level and a second phase which consist of a clinical trial to evalute pain medication efficacy. The main aim is to evaluate the use of the Nociception Coma Scale-Revised (NCS-R) and its cut-off score (i.e., 5) as an assessment and management tool to define guidelines for managing pain in patients with DOC. In this double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study, we will evaluate the use of analgesic treatments in reducing pain in subacute/chronic patients. The project will also allow us to validate the NCS-R cut-off score defined previously.

Timeline

Start

2018-02-21

Primary completion

2019-02-19

Completion

2021-04-28

Publications

• Background Ventafridda V, Saita L, Ripamonti C, De Conno F. WHO guidelines for the use of analgesics in cancer pain. Int J Tissue React. 1985;7(1):93-6.
• Background Giacino JT, Kalmar K, Whyte J. The JFK Coma Recovery Scale-Revised: measurement characteristics and diagnostic utility. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2004 Dec;85(12):2020-9. doi: 10.1016/j.apmr.2004.02.033.
• Background Bohannon RW, Larkin PA, Smith MB, Horton MG. Relationship between static muscle strength deficits and spasticity in stroke patients with hemiparesis. Phys Ther. 1987 Jul;67(7):1068-71. doi: 10.1093/ptj/67.7.1068.
• Background Chatelle C, Majerus S, Whyte J, Laureys S, Schnakers C. A sensitive scale to assess nociceptive pain in patients with disorders of consciousness. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2012 Dec;83(12):1233-7. doi: 10.1136/jnnp-2012-302987. Epub 2012 Aug 20.

Drugs

Indications