title: Topical lidocaine patch therapy for myofascial pain.
abstract: An open label study of topical lidocaine 5% patches was conducted for myofascial pain management based on the hypothesis that electrical dysfunction is a component of myofascial pain and therefore sodium channel blockade may be useful in managing myofascial pain. The efficacy of topical lidocaine patch therapy for myofascial pain impact of the therapy on associated quality of life were investigated in the one-month trial. Principal outcome measures were Brief Pain Inventory- Short Form for pain intensity and quality of life score changes. Twenty-seven patients with moderate-severe myofascial pain were enrolled. Eighteen had low back pain. Two patients reported complete pain relief and 3 reported a lot of relief. Mean improvements for average pain intensity (7, 14, and 28 days), general activity (7 and 28 days), mood and sleep (7, 14, and 28 days), walking (14 and 28 days), and ability to work, relationships, and enjoyment of life (28 days) were significant (P < 0.05). These results suggest lidocaine patches may be useful in the management of myofascial pain.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy Services, University Hospitals and Clinics, University of Utah Health Sciences Center, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA. anthony.dalpiaz@hsc.utah.edu
authors.forename: Anthony S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Dalpiaz
authors.forename: Stephen P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Lordon
authors.forename: Arthur G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Lipman
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000328:Adult; D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005157:Facial Pain / Q000145:classification / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008012:Lidocaine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D008012:Lidocaine