Can herbal medicinal products or preparations alleviate neuropathic pain in adults? A Cochrane Review summary with commentary

Abstract

Background: Several medicines have been shown to be effective in treating neuropathic pain, but they can have damaging side effects, therefore people are now trying herbal products to help relieve pain.

Objective: The aim of the Cochrane Review was to evaluate whether herbal products/preparations have an analgesic effectiveness in neuropathic pain and whether any side effects are associated with their use.

Methods: The population addressed were adults aged ≥18 years, suffering from chronic neuropathic pain. Studies that investigated the effects of herbal products/preparations for the relief of neuropathic pain compared to any or no interventions were included.

Results: Included studies did not show that herbal products/preparations have reduced pain intensity of 30% or above and there was no observable reduction in the total pain score.

Conclusions: There is insufficient evidence to suggest that herbal products/preparations have any efficacy in any neuropathic pain conditions. The current evidence is of very low quality resulting in serious uncertainties about the estimates of effect observed.

Keywords: Herbal medicine; neuropathic pain; rehabilitation.