Oxycodone combined with pulsed radiofrequency for refractory cancer pain from spinal metastases: a randomized controlled study.

Study Summary

60 patients with refractory cancer pain caused by spinal metastases were randomized to receive oxycodone alone or oxycodone combined with pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) therapy. The primary outcomes of interest were pain intensity, measured using the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS), and the frequency of breakthrough pain episodes. Secondary outcomes included opioid consumption, opioid dose escalation, immune function, quality of life, and adverse events. Outcomes were assessed at baseline and up to 30 days following treatment. Overall, the results revealed that combining PRF with oxycodone significantly reduced pain intensity, breakthrough pain episodes, opioid requirements, and adverse events compared with oxycodone alone. Combination therapy also improved several quality-of-life measures and was associated with better preservation of selected immune cell markers. These findings suggested that PRF could be a beneficial adjunct to opioid therapy for managing refractory cancer pain associated with spinal metastases, although larger trials were needed to confirm its effectiveness.