%0 Journal Article
%T Efficacy of Low Dose Naltrexone on Pain Reduction in Chronic Pain Syndromes: A Meta Analysis
%A Haroutiun Hamzoian
%A Shehzad Choudry
%J Pain Studies and Treatment
%P 15-25
%@ 2329-3276
%D 2023
%I Scientific Research Publishing
%R 10.4236/pst.2023.113003
%X <span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\">Chronic pain is a multifaceted</span><span style=\"font-family:;\" \"=\"\"> </span><span style=\"font-family:;\" \"=\"\"><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\">debilitating experience
often associated with significant physical and emotional burden. Low dose
naltrexone (LDN) has gained attention in recent years for its potential utility
in the management of f</span><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\">ibromyalgia, irritable
bowel syndrome, multiple sclerosis, and painful di</span><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\">abetic neu</span><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\">ropathy. LDNĄŻs analgesic effects have been
associated with its ability</span><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\"> to increase the production of endorphins
while reducing the production of tum</span><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\">or
necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-6, reactive oxygen species and nitr</span><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\">ic
ox</span><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\">ide. This meta-analysis aims to
systematically review and synthesize th</span><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\">e available evidence on efficacy
of LDN as an analgesic in pain syndromes, with a focus on chronic (neuro)
inflammatory diseases. The goal is to provide clinicians with a more
comprehensive estimate of the effectiveness of LDN as a non-opioid option for
managing chronic pain and guide future research in t</span><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\">he area. Thirteen randomized control trials, published from 1990 to 2022</span><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\">,
were selected for the analysis that satisfied inclusion criteria. The overall effects
in these studies were calculated using the standardized mean difference (SMD)
between the LDN and placebo groups. We found an overall SMD of -10.77 (95% CI:</span></span><span style=\"font-size:10.5pt;font-family:;\" \"=\"\"> </span><span style=\"font-family:;\" \"=\"\"><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\">-13.96 to </span><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\">-7.58)
with a p-value of 0.002. This indicated that </span><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\">the LDN group experienced a
statistically significant reduction in pai</span><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\">n
compared to placebo. This meta-analysis provides evidence for the potential
efficacy of low dose naltrexone in reducing pain and enhancing analgesia in
various pain syndromes. LDN may be a useful treatment option for patients
suffering from chronic pain, particularly with fibromyalgia, multiple
sclerosis, or diabetic neuropathy. However,
%K Pain Management
%K LDN
%K Pain
%K Anesthesiology
%K Neurology
%K Low Dose Naltrexone
%K Chronic Pain
%U http://www.scirp.org/journal/PaperInformation.aspx?PaperID=127937