Outcomes in Pain Clinical Research: What Really Matters for Patients?

AbstractPurpose of ReviewThe measurement and assessment of pain outcomes is critical to the design, analysis, and interpretation of a pain clinical trial. Results from clinical research impact a number of stakeholders, but it can be argued that patients are the most affected. The purpose of this review is to summarize the most important pain outcomes to patients and discuss methodological considerations in collecting these data in a clinical trial.Recent FindingsWe found that there are a number of outcomes that are important to patients. The outcomes that consistently appear in the literature include reductions in pain intensity, changes in medications, and improvements in physical functioning, sleep, and emotional well-being.SummaryFurther work is needed to identify what patients truly consider important, minimally important changes, and how best to measure and report these outcomes in pain clinical research.
Source: Current Anesthesiology Reports - Category: Anesthesiology Source Type: research