Passive movements for the treatment and prevention of contractures
Abstract Background Contractures, a common complication following immobility, lead to restricted joint range of motion. Passive movements (PMs) are widely used for the treatment and prevention of contractures; however, it is not clear whether they are effective. Objectives The aim of this review was to determine the effects of PMs on persons with contractures or […]
Lamotrigine for chronic neuropathic pain and fibromyalgia in adults
Abstract Background This is an update of the original Cochrane review entitled Lamotrigine for acute and chronic pain published in Issue 2, 2007, and updated in Issue 2, 2011. Some antiepileptic medicines have a place in the treatment of neuropathic pain (pain due to nerve damage). This updated review adds no new additional studies looking at evidence […]
Non-antiepileptic drugs for trigeminal neuralgia
Abstract Background Trigeminal neuralgia was defined by the International Association for the Study of Pain as a sudden, usually unilateral, severe, brief, stabbing recurrent pain in the distribution of one or more branches of the fifth cranial nerve. Standard treatment is with anti-epileptic drugs. Non-antiepileptic drugs have been used in the management of trigeminal neuralgia […]
Antiepileptic drugs for neuropathic pain and fibromyalgia – an overview of Cochrane reviews
Abstract Background Antiepileptic drugs have been used for treating different types of neuropathic pain, and sometimes fibromyalgia. Our understanding of quality standards in chronic pain trials has improved to include new sources of potential bias. Individual Cochrane reviews using these new standards have assessed individual antiepileptic drugs. An early review from this group, originally published […]
Surgical interventions for the early management of Bell’s palsy
Abstract Background Bell’s palsy is an acute paralysis of one side of the face of unknown aetiology. Bell’s palsy should only be used as a diagnosis in the absence of all other pathology. As the proposed pathophysiology is swelling and entrapment of the nerve, some surgeons suggest surgical decompression of the nerve as a possible […]
Thymectomy for non-thymomatous myasthenia gravis
Abstract Background Treatments currently used for patients with myasthenia gravis (MG) include steroids, non-steroid immune suppressive agents, plasma exchange, intravenous immunoglobulin and thymectomy. Data from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) support the use of some of these therapeutic modalities and the evidence for non-surgical therapies are the subject of other Cochrane reviews. Significant uncertainty and variation […]
Chinese herbal medicine for diabetic peripheral neuropathy
Abstract Background Chinese herbal medicine is frequently used for treating diabetic peripheral neuropathy in China. Many controlled trials have been undertaken to investigate its efficacy. This is an update of a Cochrane review that was first published in the year 2011. Objectives To assess the beneficial effects and harms of Chinese herbal medicine for people […]
Topiramate for neuropathic pain and fibromyalgia in adults
Abstract Background Topiramate is an antiepileptic drug with multiple possible mechanisms of action. Antiepileptic drugs are widely used to treat chronic neuropathic pain (pain due to nerve damage) and fibromyalgia, and many guidelines recommend them. Objectives To assess the analgesic efficacy and associated adverse events of topiramate for chronic neuropathic pain and fibromyalgia in adults […]
Surgery for traumatic optic neuropathy
Abstract Background Traumatic optic neuropathy (TON) is an important cause of severe visual loss following blunt or penetrating head trauma. Following the initial insult optic nerve swelling within the optic nerve canal or compression by bone fragments are thought to result in secondary retinal ganglion cell loss. Optic nerve decompression with steroids or surgical interventions […]
Immunomodulatory treatment other than corticosteroids, immunoglobulin and plasma exchange for chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy
Abstract Background Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP) is a disease causing progressive or relapsing and remitting weakness and numbness. It is probably due to an autoimmune process. Immunosuppressive or immunomodulatory drugs would be expected to be beneficial. This review was first published in 2003 and has been most recently updated in 2013. Objectives We aimed […]