Van de Winckel Ann, Carpentier Sydney T, Deng Wei, Zhang Lin, Philippus Angela, Monden Kimberley R, Battaglino Ricardo, Morse Leslie R
medRxiv. 2023 Feb 15:2023.02.11.23285793. doi: 10.1101/2023.02.11.23285793.
The manuscript proposes the feasibility and potential of a remote Qigong intervention to reduce neuropathic pain in adults with spinal cord injury (SCI)-related neuropathic pain.
We determined the feasibility and estimates of efficacy of a remotely delivered Qigong intervention in adults with SCI-related neuropathic pain.
This is a non-randomized controlled trial with outcomes assessed at baseline-, 6- and 12-weeks of Qigong practice, and at 6-weeks and 1-year follow-up.
Completely remote clinical trial.
Adults with SCI-related neuropathic pain, with SCI ≥3 months, with complete or incomplete SCI, and highest neuropathic pain level of >3 on the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS). We used nationwide volunteer sampling.We recruited 23 adults with chronic SCI (7/2021-2/2022). Eighteen participants started the study and completed all study components, including the 6-week follow-up. Twelve participants completed the 1-year follow-up assessment.
Participants practiced the Spring Forest Qigong™ "Five Element Healing Movements" with an online video by combining movement with kinesthetic imagery, at least 3x/week for 12 weeks.
To address the feasibility outcome and track adherence, the website automatically monitored the days and duration that the Qigong video was played. Self-report neuropathic pain intensity and SCI-related symptoms such as spasms, functional performance, mood, and body appreciation were also collected.
Eighteen participants, 60±12 years of age, 15±11 years post-SCI had a highest baseline of 7.94±2.33 on the NPRS, which was reduced to 4.17±3.07 after 12 weeks of Qigong practice (Cohen's =1.75). This pain relief remained at 6-week and 1-year follow-ups. Participants reported reduced spasm frequency (change score 1.17±1.20, =0.98) and severity (0.72±1.02, =0.71), and reduced interference of neuropathic pain on mood (3.44±2.53, =1.36), sleep (3.39±2.40, =1.41), and daily activities (3.17±2.77, =1.14). They had a greater ability to perform functional activities (Patient Specific Functional Scale, 6.68±3.07, =2.18) and had improved mood (Patient Health Questionnaire-9, 2.33±3.31, =0.70).
Our preliminary data demonstrate the feasibility of Qigong practice in adults with SCI-related neuropathic pain and promising results of neuropathic pain relief and improvement in SCI-related symptoms after Qigong practice.
TRIAL REGISTRATION THIS MANUSCRIPT REFERS TO THE QUASI-EXPERIMENTAL SUBSTUDY: CREATION: A Clinical Trial of Qigong for Neuropathic Pain Relief in Adults with Spinal Cord Injury, NCT04917107 , https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04917107 .
该手稿提出了一种远程气功干预措施对减轻脊髓损伤（SCI）相关神经性疼痛的成年人神经性疼痛的可行性和潜力。
我们确定了远程提供的气功干预措施对患有SCI相关神经性疼痛的成年人的可行性和疗效评估。
这是一项非随机对照试验，在气功练习的基线、6周和12周以及6周和1年随访时评估结果。
完全远程临床试验。
患有SCI相关神经性疼痛的成年人，SCI病程≥3个月，完全或不完全性SCI，数字疼痛评分量表（NPRS）上最高神经性疼痛水平>3。我们采用全国范围内的志愿者抽样。我们招募了23名患有慢性SCI的成年人（2021年7月至2022年2月）。18名参与者开始研究并完成了所有研究内容，包括6周随访。12名参与者完成了1年随访评估。
参与者通过在线视频练习春林气功™“五行康复动作”，将动作与动觉意象相结合，每周至少练习3次，共12周。
为了评估可行性结果并跟踪依从性，网站自动监测气功视频的播放天数和时长。还收集了自我报告的神经性疼痛强度以及SCI相关症状，如痉挛、功能表现、情绪和身体感知。
18名参与者，年龄60±12岁，SCI后15±11年，基线时NPRS最高评分为7.94±2.33，气功练习12周后降至4.17±3.07（科恩d值=1.75）。这种疼痛缓解在6周和1年随访时仍持续存在。参与者报告痉挛频率（变化得分1.17±1.20，d值=0.98）和严重程度（0.72±1.02，d值=0.71）降低，神经性疼痛对情绪（3.44±2.53，d值=1.36）、睡眠（3.39±2.40，d值=1.41）和日常活动（3.17±2.77，d值=1.14）的干扰减少。他们进行功能活动的能力更强（患者特定功能量表，6.68±3.07，d值=2.18），情绪改善（患者健康问卷-9，2.33±3.31，d值=0.70）。
我们的初步数据证明了气功练习对患有SCI相关神经性疼痛的成年人的可行性，以及气功练习后神经性疼痛缓解和SCI相关症状改善的良好结果。
试验注册 本手稿涉及准实验性子研究：创建：一项针对脊髓损伤成年人气功缓解神经性疼痛的临床试验，NCT04917107，https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04917107 。
