Neurology
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Randomized Controlled Trial
A randomized crossover study of bee sting therapy for multiple sclerosis.
Bee sting therapy is increasingly used to treat patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) in the belief that it can stabilize or ameliorate the disease. However, there are no clinical studies to justify its use. ⋯ In this trial, treatment with bee venom in patients with relapsing multiple sclerosis did not reduce disease activity, disability, or fatigue and did not improve quality of life.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Randomized, controlled trial of cannabis-based medicine in central pain in multiple sclerosis.
Central pain in multiple sclerosis (MS) is common and often refractory to treatment. ⋯ Cannabis-based medicine is effective in reducing pain and sleep disturbance in patients with multiple sclerosis related central neuropathic pain and is mostly well tolerated.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
A single dose of gabapentin reduces acute pain and allodynia in patients with herpes zoster.
This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study measured the effect of a single dose of oral gabapentin (900 mg) on pain and allodynia associated with herpes zoster. Pain severity decreased by 66% with gabapentin compared to 33% with placebo. Reductions in allodynia area and severity, and overall pain relief, were also greater with gabapentin.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
A randomized controlled trial of surgery vs steroid injection for carpal tunnel syndrome.
Decompressive surgery and steroid injection are widely used forms of treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) but there is no consensus on their effectiveness in comparison to each other. The authors evaluated the efficacy of surgery vs steroid injection in relieving symptoms in patients with CTS. ⋯ Compared with steroid injection, open carpal tunnel release resulted in better symptomatic and neurophysiologic outcome but not grip strength in patients with idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome over a 20-week period.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Insulin therapy protects the central and peripheral nervous system of intensive care patients.
To investigate the effectiveness of maintaining blood glucose levels below 6.1 mmol/L with insulin as prevention of secondary injury to the central and peripheral nervous systems of intensive care patients. ⋯ Preventing even moderate hyperglycemia with insulin during intensive care protected the central and peripheral nervous systems, with clinical consequences such as shortening of intensive care dependency and possibly better long-term rehabilitation.