Medicinal, Psychological, and Health Research Journal (MPHRJ)

Pregabalin for Radiation-Induced Neuropathic Pain in Head and Neck Cancer: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Seyed Taher Mousavi 1
Ali Reza Nasseri 2

1 Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery, Department of Neurosurgery, School of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran

2 Assistant Professor of Radiotherapy, Department of Radiology, School of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran

10.5281/zenodo.23863332
Abstract
Introduction: Radiotherapy for head and neck cancer frequently induces severe neuropathic pain, significantly impairing patient quality of life and adherence to treatment. Despite this high clinical burden, effective prophylactic interventions remain largely unestablished. Therefore, this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial aimed to evaluate the efficacy of prophylactic pregabalin in preventing radiation-induced neuropathic pain.

Material and methods: This randomized, double-blind clinical trial evaluated 60 patients with head and neck cancer divided into two equal groups of 30 using convenience sampling and the Cochran formula. Conducted at Shahid Madani Hospital, the procedure involved administering prophylactic pregabalin or a comparator during radiotherapy. Serial assessments monitored neuropathic pain trajectories, rescue analgesic consumption, and safety profiles throughout the intervention and follow-up periods.

Results: Prophylactic pregabalin significantly attenuated radiation-induced neuropathic pain progression (week 6 DN4: 4.1 plus minus 1.0 vs 7.1 plus minus 1.2, P < 0.001) and reduced cumulative opioid consumption (285.4 plus minus 48.2 mg vs 542.8 plus minus 76.5 mg, P < 0.001) across both sexes without significant between-sex divergence.

Conclusion: Prophylactic pregabalin administration effectively mitigates radiotherapy-induced neuropathic pain and substantially reduces opioid dependency in head and neck cancer patients. Demonstrating robust sex-independent efficacy and manageable tolerability, pregabalin serves as a valuable adjunct in combined-modality oncologic care, optimizing patient quality of life during aggressive radiation therapy.

Graphical Abstract

Pregabalin for Radiation-Induced Neuropathic Pain in Head and Neck Cancer: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Keywords

Pregabalin
Radiation-Induced Neuropathic Pain
Head and Neck Cancer
Opioid-Sparing Effect
Subjects
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Medicinal, Psychological, and Health Research Journal (MPHRJ)
Volume 3, Issue 1
January and February 2027
Pages 142-152

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