Etanercept delivered into the spine improves chronic pain in stroke survivors

This study investigated the safety and effectiveness of perispinal etanercept (PE) in the treatment of pain after stroke. Researchers suggested that PE is a good and safe option to treat pain in stroke survivors.

Stroke is a common disease that affects 795,000 people every year in the US. It happens when the blood flow to the brain is cut-off. Brain cells stop receiving oxygen and begin to die. The abilities of these cells are lost causing complications such as paralysis or long-term pain. This pain requires the use of strong analgesics. This is commonly associated with other side effects, including decreased quality of daily life. Often these patients also face depression and impaired quality of life. Therefore, finding an alternative treatment is necessary.

Etanercept is a targeted therapy that blocks the inflammatory protein called tumor necrosis factor (TNF). It is commonly prescribed in inflammatory conditions associated with pain such as rheumatoid arthritis. The perispinal injection of etanercept (perispinal etanercept; PE) involves injecting this drug into the spine. PE is being studied in numerous nerve-related conditions and has been shown to improve stroke-associated complications including pain. However, not enough evidence is available to confirm PE effectiveness.

This study included information about 26 stroke survivors with long-term pain. These patients received either PE treatment or saline (dummy treatment).

PE reduced pain after two treatments, while no difference was seen in the non-treatment group. 30% of patients in the PE group had near-complete pain absence after the first treatment. Patients with arm paralysis in the PE group also experienced improved shoulder movements.

 This study concluded that PE improves long-term pain in stroke survivors.

This study included a small number of participants. Further studies with a bigger population are necessary.