title: Effects of nicotine on spinal cord injury pain: a randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled crossover trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  One factor affecting spinal cord injury (SCI)-related pain may be nicotine. Case reports have described a worsening of neuropathic pain from smoking and relief from abstinence. Neurobiological correlates also implicate the potential effect of nicotine on SCI-related pain.
  
  
  METHODS
  The current study employed a randomized, placebo-controlled crossover design to examine the effect of nicotine exposure on subtypes of SCI-related pain among smokers and nonsmokers.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Whereas nonsmokers with SCI showed a reduction in mixed forms of pain following nicotine exposure, smokers with SCI showed a converse increase in pain with regard to both mixed and neuropathic forms of pain. The exacerbation of pain in chronic nicotine or tobacco users may not only elucidate possible pain mechanisms but may also be of use in smoking cessation counseling among those with SCI.
authors: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation , University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama.
authors: Elizabeth J
authors: EJ
authors: Richardson
authors: J Scott
authors: JS
authors: Richards
authors: Christopher C
authors: CC
authors: Stewart
authors: Timothy J
authors: TJ
authors: Ness
keywords: neuropathic pain; nicotine; pain; randomized controlled trial; smoking; spinal cord injury