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The International Association for the Study of Pain

Trialing Gabapentin – How to Best Test the Efficacy of A Well-known and Widely Used Drug in A Small and Complex Population

Symposia

Abstract Description

This presentation will describe our single subject research design (n-of-1 study) to evaluate the effectiveness of gabapentin in addressing neuropathic/nociplastic pain in children with Severe Neurological Impairment. Gabapentin is often used for indications of neuropathic and chronic, complex pain across all age groups. However, the evidence base supporting the use of gabapentin for pain and irritability in infants and children with neurological impairment rests on a limited number of retrospective case studies. The lack of prospective, randomized studies underpinned the rationale for our trial. With a small target population, we wanted to use a research design that would allow us to effectively evaluate outcomes, even when each participant’s case is complex and a clinical outcome may be difficult to discern. The study design was also informed by our desire to provide individualized medicine and evaluations to participants as we understand that one aspect of parents desire for participating in research is to see the difference that their participation may make for their child as well as a desire to contribute to research in a broader context. 

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