Low Doses Amitriptyline & Chronic Neck Pain

Prospective Randomized & Controlled Study of the Role of Low Doses Amitriptyline in the Management of Chronic Neck Pain

The objective of this prospective randomized and controlled study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of low dose of amitriptyline (5 mg) in the management of chronic neck pain.

Patients with chronic neck pain, lasting since at least 3 months, are recruited from our pain clinic. After verification of inclusion and exclusion criteria, patients consenting to enter the study are assigned randomly to one of the following groups: 1-Amitriptyline 5 mg for 2 months 2- placebo for 2 months. Co-morbidities and other painful conditions are noted, and then clinical evaluation of the patient is performed; pain is assessed according to Visual Analog Scale, anxiety, depression, insomnia and disability are evaluated by adapted scores (Bergen insomnia scale, neck pain disability score, neck pain diary & anxiety and depression score). Patients are followed at 2 months and outcome measures are assessed.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Chronic neck pain (since more than 3 months, and more than 15 days/month)
• Normal neurologic exam
• X-ray = normal or loss of lordosis

Exclusion Criteria:

• Neurologic signs or symptoms
• Past history of neck surgery
• MRI = abnormal findings except for loss of lordosis
• Past cervical trauma
• severe depression
• drug abuse
• pregnancy
• Follow-up not possible
• cardiac rhythms problems
• Glaucoma
• Urinary tract obstruction or prostatism