Riassunto dello studio

One hundred and twenty patients with lumbo-sacral radicular pain were randomized to receive pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) with oral alpha lipoic acid (ALA) (n=60) or radiofrequency ablation alone (n=60). The primary outcome of interest was pain relief utilizing the numerical rating score. Secondary outcomes of interest were the Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability score, the Epworth Sleepiness Scale, patient satisfaction, success rate after treatment and adverse events. There was a significant reduction in pain at 3 and 6 months post procedure in the ALA + PRF group compared to the PRF alone group. The ALA group also demonstrated a significant reduction in disability scores at 6 months and a increased number of patients that had a sustained reduction in pain scores. No differences in adverse events were noted.