Such interventions would have the potential to reduce the prevalence of chronic pain in the population .
Although certain risk factors can identify individuals who are most likely to develop chronic pain , few interventions to prevent chronic pain have been identified .
To facilitate the identification of preventive interventions , an IMMPACT meeting was convened to discuss research design considerations for clinical trials investigating the prevention of chronic pain .
We present general design considerations for prevention trials in population s that are at relatively high risk for developing chronic pain .
The effects of pre-emptive treatment of postherpetic neuralgia with amitriptyline: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
Seventy-two patients older than 60 years of age who received a diagnosis of herpes zoster ( HZ ) were entered into a r and omized , double-blind , placebo-controlled trial of daily amitriptyline 25 mg . Treatment with either amitriptyline or placebo continued for 90 days after diagnosis . Pain prevalence at 6 months was the primary outcome . Results showed that early treatment with low-dose amitriptyline  reduced pain prevalence by more than one-half ( p < 0.05 ; odds ratio , 2.9:1 ) This finding makes a strong case for the pre-emptive administration of amitriptyline , in combination with an antiviral drug , to elderly patients with acute herpes zoster
Such interventions would have the potential to reduce the prevalence of chronic pain in the population .
Although certain risk factors can identify individuals who are most likely to develop chronic pain , few interventions to prevent chronic pain have been identified .
To facilitate the identification of preventive interventions , an IMMPACT meeting was convened to discuss research design considerations for clinical trials investigating the prevention of chronic pain .
We present general design considerations for prevention trials in population s that are at relatively high risk for developing chronic pain .