Research trials are underway into a possible new treatment for Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS). Low-Dose Intravenous Immunoglobulin Treatment is undergoing trials in volunteer patients who have failed to achieve satisfactory pain relief with other available treatments. The trials are being sponsored by the University of Liverpool.
The researchers, who are led by Dr Andreas Goebel, a senior lecturer in pain medicine, believe that there is evidence of immune activation in the limb affected by CRPS, as well as the peripheral blood and cerebrospinal fluid. It is thought that modulating the immune system may alleviate the CRPS.
Early results have proved encouraging with approximately 50% of patients reporting a reduction in pain intensity of 30% or more.
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