The purpose of this study is to determine if the use of Neuragen (a natural health product oil rubbed into the skin) is effective at reducing pain and improving the quality of life in people with diabetic peripheral neuropathy.
Incidence of diabetic neuropathy and development of diabetic ulcers varies based on the severity (lack of blood sugar control) and duration of diabetes. Estimates of rates of occurrence vary although one prospective study showed 7.2% of newly diagnosed ulcer-free diabetics developed ulcers within one year of being diagnosed. Current treatment initiatives aimed at educating diabetic patients on how to prevent diabetic ulcers and mange peripheral neuropathy have had varied success. Chronic pain is the number one reason that this population seeks help from medical professionals. Diabetics are particularly predisposed to a potentially disabling form of chronic pain known as peripheral neuropathy. In fact, over 50% of diabetics have painful neuropathy, or will develop this condition. Other than the primary goal of addressing blood sugar levels, conventional treatment of diabetic peripheral neuropathy involves prescription gabapentanoids or opiod analgesics, both of which have considerable cost and may be associated with side effects from long-term use and overall limited success rates. Neuragen is an over-the-counter natural health product that may be a safe and effective treatment option for this disease. Using a randomized double-blind placebo control clinical trial the effects of Neuragen on pain, function and quality of life will be assessed.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
TRIPLE
2-3 drops applied topically 2-3 times per day as needed over a 3 month period
Ad lib use of mineral (scent and color matched to Neuragen) applied topically 2-3 times per day in 2-3 drops per application
Pain Management Unit
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Robert Schad Naturopathic Clinic
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Brief Pain Inventory for sustained relief
Time frame: Baseline to month 3
Numeric pain scale (0-10) for immediate relief
Time frame: Baseline compared to average daily measure over 3 months
NeuroQol-97 quality of life measurement questionnaire
Time frame: Baseline to 3 months
Liver enzyme - AST
Time frame: Baseline to 3 months
Liver enzyme - ALT
Time frame: Baseline to 3 months
Liver enzyme - GGT
Time frame: Baseline to 3 months
Neurologic impairment scale LL +7
Time frame: Baseline to 3 months
Amount of medication used
Time frame: Baseline to 3 months
Adverse event reports
Time frame: Baseline to 3 months
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