Background Pain of neuropathic origin in spinal cord injury (SCI) is unbearable and challenging to treat. Research studies conducted in the past have shown that mental imagery (MI) techniques have a significant impact on the reduction of symptoms of central neuropathic pain in people with SCI. Objectives The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of MI training on pain intensity, neuropathic pain symptoms, and interference of pain with function in SCI. Methods A total of 42 SCI participants with central neuropathic pain (duration 6-12 months) were recruited and randomly allocated to MI or control groups. A MI training protocol was administered to MI group and for 30 min/d for 5 days. Outcome measures were assessed at baseline and at the end of 4 weeks. Results There was significant reduction in differences of mean [95% CI] scores of numeric rating scale (−2.1 [CI −2.78 to −1.41]; P < .001) between groups. Mean [95% CI] total scores of Neuropathic Pain Symptom Inventory declined in MI group as compared with control group (−4.52 [CI −5.86 to −3.18]; P < .001). Similarly, Brief Pain Inventory interference scale total dropped significantly (P < .001) in MI group. Majority of participants in the MI group (55%) reported improvement in scores of Patients’ Global Impression of Change scale as compared with control group where most of the participants (52%) reported no change. Conclusions This study shows the effectiveness of the MI protocol developed as a rehabilitative approach in improving central neuropathic pain in SCI. Trial Registration. Clinical Trials Registry–India under Indian Council of Medical Research; CTRI/2018/07/014884. Registered July 16, 2018.

中文翻译：

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心理意象作为脊髓损伤患者神经性疼痛的康复疗法：一项随机对照试验

背景 脊髓损伤 (SCI) 中的神经源性疼痛难以忍受且难以治疗。过去进行的研究表明，心理意象 (MI) 技术对减轻 SCI 患者的中枢神经性疼痛症状具有显着影响。目的 本研究的目的是评估 MI 训练对 SCI 中疼痛强度、神经性疼痛症状和疼痛对功能的干扰的影响。方法 共有 42 名患有中枢神经性疼痛（持续时间 6-12 个月）的 SCI 参与者被招募并随机分配到 MI 或对照组。对 MI 组实施 MI 训练方案，每次 30 分钟/天，持续 5 天。在基线和 4 周结束时评估结果指标。结果 组间数字评定量表的平均 [95% CI] 得分差异显着减少（-2.1 [CI -2.78 至 -1.41]；P < .001）。与对照组相比，MI 组神经病理性疼痛症状量表的平均 [95% CI] 总分下降（-4.52 [CI -5.86 至 -3.18]；P < .001）。同样，在 MI 组中，Brief Pain Inventory 干扰量表总量显着下降（P < .001）。与大多数参与者 (52%) 报告没有变化的对照组相比，MI 组的大多数参与者 (55%) 报告患者的总体印象变化量表得分有所改善。结论 本研究显示了 MI 协议作为一种康复方法在改善 SCI 中枢神经性疼痛方面的有效性。试用注册。印度医学研究理事会下属的印度临床试验注册处；CTRI/2018/07/014884。2018 年 7 月 16 日注册。