title: Anticonvulsant medication use for the management of pain following spinal cord injury: systematic review and effectiveness analysis.
abstract: METHODS
  Systematic review and effectiveness analysis.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Assess the effectiveness of anticonvulsants for the management of post spinal cord injury (SCI) neuropathic pain.
  
  
  METHODS
  Studies from multiple countries were included.
  
  
  METHODS
  CINAHL, Cochrane, EMBASE and MEDLINE were searched up to April 2013. Quality assessment was conducted using the Jadad and the Downs and Black tools. Effect sizes and odds ratios were calculated for primary and secondary outcome in the included studies.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Gabapentinoids, valproate, lamotrigine, levetiracetam and carbamazepine were examined in the 13 included studies, ten of which are randomized controlled trials. Large effect size (0.873-3.362) for improvement of pain relief was found in 4 of the 6 studies examining the effectiveness of gabapentin. Pregabalin was shown to have a moderate to large effect (0.695-3.805) on improving neuropathic pain post SCI in 3 studies. Valproate and levetiracetam were not effective in improving neuropathic pain post SCI, while lamotrigine was effective in reducing neuropathic pain amongst persons with incomplete lesions and carbamazepine was found effective for relief of moderate to intense pain.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Gabapentin and pregabalin are the two anticonvulsants which have been shown to have some benefit in reducing neuropathic pain.
authors.affiliation: Aging, Rehabilitation and Geriatric Care, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Guy
authors.affiliation: Aging, Rehabilitation and Geriatric Care, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mehta
authors.affiliation: Parkwood Staff Library, St. Joseph's Healthcare, London, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Leff
authors.affiliation: 1] Aging, Rehabilitation and Geriatric Care, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, ON, Canada [2] Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Teasell
authors.affiliation: 1] Aging, Rehabilitation and Geriatric Care, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, ON, Canada [2] Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Loh
mesh_terms: D000588:Amines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000700:Analgesics / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003509:Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000077206:Gabapentin; D006801:Humans; D009437:Neuralgia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D059408:Pain Management / Q000379:methods*; D000069583:Pregabalin; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000588:Amines; D000700:Analgesics; D000927:Anticonvulsants; D003509:Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids; D000069583:Pregabalin; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; D000077206:Gabapentin