Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 17, 2025

The Sciatic Nerve Cuffing Model of Neuropathic Pain in Mice
Published on: July 16, 2014
Methadone and neuropathic cancer pain subcomponents: a prospective cohort pilot study
Audrey Fawoubo1, Élise Perceau-Chambard2, Murielle Ruer2
1Palliative Care, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Pierre benite, France audrey.fawoubo@chu-lyon.fr.
Abstract:
Forty per cent of cancer pain associate neuropathic and nociceptive pain simultaneously, and refractory pain affects 15% of cancer pain. Methadone is an effective opioid in treating nociceptive pain and could have an effect on neuropathic pain. Uncertainty remains on its effects on the different subcomponents of neuropathic pain.
Objectives:
To identify which subcomponents of neuropathic cancer pain are addressed using methadone.
Methods:
An observational prospective cohort study of palliative care inpatients after rotation for refractory neuropathic cancer pain. Pain intensity was assessed weekly for 28 days, using a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and the Neuropathic Pain Symptom Inventory (NPSI).
Results:
Forty-eight patients were included and 17 completed the 28 days follow-up. VAS pain rating decreased by at least 20 mm in 47% of patients and the pain intensity was significantly lower at day 28 with 53% of patients with a VAS inferior to 4 (p<0.001). The pressure/squeezing component (NPSI score) decreased by more than 2 points in 50% of patients.A linear regression showed allodynia and pressure/squeezing were responsible for the largest part of the overall alleviation of pain (p=0.01).
Conclusions:
Methadone could significantly improve neuropathic pain through a targeted effect of allodynia and its pressure/squeezing component.
More Related Videos
07:23Assessment of Morphine-induced Hyperalgesia and Analgesic Tolerance in Mice Using Thermal and Mechanical Nociceptive Modalities
Published on: July 29, 2014
08:16Partial Sciatic Nerve Ligation: A Mouse Model of Chronic Neuropathic Pain to Study the Antinociceptive Effect of Novel Therapies
Published on: October 6, 2022
Related Concept Videos
Opioid Analgesics: Synthetic and Semisynthetic Opioids
Analgesia and Pain Management
Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: Cannabinoids
Two synthetic agonists of THC,...
Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: Neurokinin-1 Receptor Antagonists
Opioid Analgesics: Morphine and Other Natural Cogeners
Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: Dopamine Receptor Antagonists
Phenothiazines, such as prochlorperazine...