The Effect of Combined Oral and Topical Analgesics to Reduce Pain Perception During Electrodiagnostic Testing

Summary

Electromyography (EMG) is a useful test for diagnosis and monitoring of lower motor neuron disorders. It is mostly done in conjunction with a Nerve Conduction Study (NCS). Like other invasive medical procedures; electrodiagnostic tests have been known to cause iatrogenic pain for the patient, the intensity of which varies from person to person. Multiple modifiable as well as non-modifiable risk factors associated with EMG pain have been described in literature.Various approaches targeting different mechanisms of pain perception have been tested to make this procedure comfortable for the patients. These approaches range from simple distraction techniques to the use of topical and oral analgesics.Most of these studies have looked at adult population which has, supposedly, better pain tolerance as compared to children. Data on EMG associated pain in pediatric population is scant. This trial will assess the effect of combined oral and topical analgesics to reduce pain perception during NCS and EMG tests in the pediatric population.

Timeline

Start

2019-12-30

Primary completion

2022-06-27

Completion

2022-06-27

Publications

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• Background Kalantar SS, Abbasi M, Faghihi-Kashani S, Majedi H, Ahmadi M, Agah E, Tafakhori A. Paracetamol 325 mg/tramadol 37.5 mg effect on pain during needle electromyography: a double-blind crossover clinical trial. Acta Neurol Belg. 2016 Dec;116(4):599-604. doi: 10.1007/s13760-016-0621-6. Epub 2016 Mar 8.
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• Background Taddio A, Ilersich AL, Ipp M, Kikuta A, Shah V; HELPinKIDS Team. Physical interventions and injection techniques for reducing injection pain during routine childhood immunizations: systematic review of randomized controlled trials and quasi-randomized controlled trials. Clin Ther. 2009;31 Suppl 2:S48-76. doi: 10.1016/j.clinthera.2009.07.024.
• Background Taddio A, Appleton M, Bortolussi R, Chambers C, Dubey V, Halperin S, Hanrahan A, Ipp M, Lockett D, MacDonald N, Midmer D, Mousmanis P, Palda V, Pielak K, Riddell RP, Rieder M, Scott J, Shah V. Reducing the pain of childhood vaccination: an evidence-based clinical practice guideline. CMAJ. 2010 Dec 14;182(18):E843-55. doi: 10.1503/cmaj.101720. Epub 2010 Nov 22. No abstract available.
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• Background Abuelkheir M, Alsourani D, Al-Eyadhy A, Temsah MH, Meo SA, Alzamil F. EMLA(R) cream: a pain-relieving strategy for childhood vaccination. J Int Med Res. 2014 Apr;42(2):329-36. doi: 10.1177/0300060513509473. Epub 2014 Feb 5.

Drugs

Indications

No indication recorded.