Controlled clinical trials in cancer pain. How controlled should they be? A qualitative systematic review.
This qualitative systematic review of the clinical methodology used in randomised, controlled trials of oral opioids (morphine, hydromorphone, oxycodone) for cancer pain underlines the difficulties of good pain research in palliative care. The current literature lacks placebo-controlled superiority trials. Recommendations for future research are discussed.
Bell
R F
RF
Regional Centre of Excellence in Palliative Care Western Norway/Institute for Surgical Sciences/Pain Clinic Haukeland University Hospital, N-5021 Bergen, Norway. rae.bell@helse-bergen.no
Wisløff
T
T
Eccleston
C
C
Kalso
E
E
D018849:Controlled Clinical Trials as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010146:Pain / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D059408:Pain Management; D015203:Reproducibility of Results