Effects of Gabapentin in the Treatment of Neuropathic Pain on Driving Performance and Cognition

Overview[ - collapse ][ - ]

Purpose The aim of this study was to explore the effects of pain on the one hand and the effects of treatment of pain with gabapentin (900, 1200, 1800 or 2400 mg) on the other hand on actual driving performance and several laboratory tests in patients with neuropathic pain. It was hypothesized that gabapentin might influence performance after acute but not after subchronic administration.
ConditionChronic Neuropathic Pain
InterventionDrug: gabapentin
PhasePhase 4
SponsorUMC Utrecht
Responsible PartyUMC Utrecht
ClinicalTrials.gov IdentifierNCT00189072
First ReceivedSeptember 12, 2005
Last UpdatedSeptember 12, 2005
Last verifiedMay 2005

Tracking Information[ + expand ][ + ]

First Received DateSeptember 12, 2005
Last Updated DateSeptember 12, 2005
Start DateApril 2003
Estimated Primary Completion DateNot Provided
Current Primary Outcome Measuresdriving test parameters
Current Secondary Outcome Measures
  • laboratory test parameters
  • Event Related Potentials

Descriptive Information[ + expand ][ + ]

Brief TitleEffects of Gabapentin in the Treatment of Neuropathic Pain on Driving Performance and Cognition
Official TitleEffects of Pain and the Treatment of Pain With Gabapentin (900-3600 Mg) on Driving Ability, Attentional Capacity and Psychomotor Performance in Chronic Neuropathic Pain Patients
Brief Summary
The aim of this study was to explore the effects of pain on the one hand and the effects of
treatment of pain with gabapentin (900, 1200, 1800 or 2400 mg) on the other hand on actual
driving performance and several laboratory tests in patients with neuropathic pain. It was
hypothesized that gabapentin might influence performance after acute but not after
subchronic administration.
Detailed Description
Numerous studies demonstrate neuropsychological impairment in patients with chronic pain,
particularely on measures assessing attentional capacity, processing speed and psychomotor
speed. About 50% of the patients suffering from neuropathic pain are treated with
anticonvulsants, as a treatment against serious pain complaints, and experience good pain
relief. Gabapentin is one of the most prescribed anticonvulsants for the treatment of
neuropathic pain. An important disadvantage of treatment with gabapentin could be the
occurrence of side effects, such as somnolence and fatigue. These side effects can
constitute a crucial problem for patients treated with gabapentin who must operate a motor
vehicle or other dangerous machinery. However, pain affects cognition negatively, and
possibly also driving. Therefore, another possibility is that treatment with gabapentin for
these pain complaints can improve driving because the pain has less influence. Since driving
is an activity of daily living that is important in maintaining independency in the
community, such as access to employment and social activities, it is important to establish
the effects of using gabapentin on these abilities. No studies have been conducted so far to
investigate driving abilities of patients with neuropathic pain, treated with gabapentin.The
aim of this study was to explore the effects of pain on the one hand and the effects of
acute (Day 1) and subchronic (Day 15) treatment of pain with gabapentin (900, 1200, 1800 or
2400 mg) on the other hand on actual driving performance and several laboratory tests in
patients with neuropathic pain. It was hypothesized that gabapentin might influence
performance after acute but not after subchronic administration. This study is a two-period
double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over randomised study.
Study TypeInterventional
Study PhasePhase 4
Study DesignAllocation: Randomized, Endpoint Classification: Safety Study, Intervention Model: Crossover Assignment, Masking: Double-Blind, Primary Purpose: Treatment
ConditionChronic Neuropathic Pain
InterventionDrug: gabapentin
Study Arm (s)Not Provided

Recruitment Information[ + expand ][ + ]

Recruitment StatusTerminated
Estimated Enrollment24
Estimated Completion DateNot Provided
Estimated Primary Completion DateNot Provided
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

- age, responder to gabapentin,succesfully treated with gabapentin at least 4 weeks
before start of study, minimal VAS pain intensity scores of 4 cm on a 10 cm scale,
driving licence, driving experience, fluently speaking Dutch, normal vision,
right-handed

Exclusion Criteria:

- alcohol- or drug dependence, use of other psychotropic medication, use of illicit
drugs, psychological or physical disorder other than pain or pain-related, excessive
smoking and drinking
GenderBoth
Ages30 Years
Accepts Healthy VolunteersNo
ContactsNot Provided
Location CountriesNetherlands

Administrative Information[ + expand ][ + ]

NCT Number NCT00189072
Other Study ID Numbers02/327
Has Data Monitoring CommitteeNot Provided
Information Provided ByUMC Utrecht
Study SponsorUMC Utrecht
CollaboratorsUtrecht University
Investigators Principal Investigator: Edmund Volkerts, PhD Utrecht University
Verification DateMay 2005

Locations[ + expand ][ + ]

University of Utrecht
Utrecht, Netherlands, 3508 TB