Rehabilitation protocols in neuropathic pain: bibliometric review

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:

Neuropathic pain (NP) affects the afferent somatosensory pathways, generating various symptoms, however, there is difficulty in terms of diagnosis and in the formation of treatment protocols. There is a need to search the current literature for effective resources for the treatment of peripheral neuropathy in rehabilitation. The objective of this study was to describe reproducible assessment and treatment approaches capable of reducing NP.

CONTENTS:

Full articles produced between 2018 and 2022, found in the Pubmed, Scielo, Medline, Embase and Cochrane databases were included. Fifteen Boolean descriptors were used, and data were cross-referenced with the words “AND” or “OR”. The selected articles went through the Methodi Ordinatio of classification and organization of studies. Eleven articles were selected and used in this review, two from 2018, five from 2020, and three from 2021. Regarding the type of study, five review articles, one case study, and six intervention studies were obtained. Of these 11 studies, only three used quality of life (QoL) indicators. Most studies used combined interventions, and in more than half of the publications transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) was present. The somatosensory rehabilitation method was able to redeem neuropathy through specific techniques.

CONCLUSION:

The implications of the neuropathic pain treatment in terms of QoL were left in the background by the bibliometric survey carried out. It is suggested that new studies could associate analgesia techniques with rehabilitation methods, including and measuring the effects on the QoL of these patients.

Keywords:
Complex regional pain syndrome; Hyperalgia; Physical therapy; Rehabilitation; Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation

HIGHLIGHTS

This study sought to find a rehabilitation protocol for neuropathic pain by means of a bibliometric and systematized literature review.

Few studies have assessed quality of life indicators in patients with neuropathic pain.

Combined therapies, such as transcranial current stimulation with physiotherapy, seem to have a greater effect on the treatment and reduction of painful symptoms, but there is no specific protocol.

The Somatosensory Reeducation method was the only resource that reported remission of neuropathic pain, regardless of the degree of involvement.

Most of the studies found are reproducible, but few address general aspects of the patient, such as the side effects of chronic neuropathic pain and quality of life.