There is increasing evidence that chronic low level inflammation within the central nervous system might be involved in the maintenance of certain types of chronic pain. It is hoped that medicines that are able to suppress central nervous system inflammation might help relieve pain and improve function in patients with chronic pain.
Palmitoylethanolamide is a naturally occurring fatty acid involved in the regulation of inflammatory responses within the central nervous system. In Australia it is currently classed as a nutraceutical supplement and is available from pharmacies without prescription. There is some evidence that administration of palmitoylethanolamide has analgesic benefits in patients suffering from chronic pain. It also appears to be safe, with a low risk of serious adverse effects, which has led to it being strongly promoted by many pharmacies.
The aim of this study is to assess the ability of daily oral administration of palmitoylethanolamide to improve pain and function in patients being treated in a tertiary hospital pain clinic. 100 patients will be randomly allocated into two groups. One group will be administered PEA twice daily for a period of six months, the other group will be given an identical looking capsule containing no active treatment (placebo) for the same duration. This will be done in a blinded manor so that neither the patients nor the investigators will know which treatment a patient is receiving until after the trial has finished.
Dr Daniel Ellyard, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, WA
The project was awarded funding of $11,786 through the ANZCA research grants program for 2019.
Last modified: