Prospective double-blind crossover trial of ibuprofen in reducing EMG pain

To test the efficacy of ibuprofen in reducing needle electromyography (EMG) pain we studied 30 healthy volunteers randomized to receive placebo or ibuprofen (400 mg) 2 h before EMG using concentric needle electrodes in four muscles. The electromyographer and volunteer were both blinded. Immediately after EMG, subjects reported their experience of pain on a visual analog scale (VAS). A day later, they filled a VAS for their memory of pain during EMG and a VAS for the residual pain at needle sites. A week later, subjects were crossed over and the same procedure was repeated on the same muscles of the contralateral limbs. Immediate recall of pain was significantly decreased by ibuprofen, but memory of pain and residual needle site pain a day after EMG were not decreased. We conclude that ibuprofen is effective in reducing EMG pain as perceived immediately after the procedure. Premedication with ibuprofen before EMG is useful.