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A systematic review and meta‐analysis of nutrition interventions for chronic noncancer pain
Author(s) -
Brain K.,
Burrows T. L.,
Rollo M. E.,
Chai L. K.,
Clarke E. D.,
Hayes C.,
Hodson F. J.,
Collins C. E.
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
journal of human nutrition and dietetics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.951
H-Index - 70
eISSN - 1365-277X
pISSN - 0952-3871
DOI - 10.1111/jhn.12601
Subject(s) - medicine , psychological intervention , meta analysis , physical therapy , chronic pain , intervention (counseling) , systematic review , medline , psychiatry , political science , law
Background This systematic review aimed to evaluate the impact of nutrition interventions on participant reported pain severity and intensity in populations with chronic pain. Methods Eight databases were systematically searched for studies that included adult populations with a chronic pain condition, a nutrition intervention and a measure of pain. Where possible, data were pooled using meta‐analysis. Seventy‐one studies were included, with 23 being eligible for meta‐analysis. Results Studies were categorised into four groups: (i) altered overall diet with 12 of 16 studies finding a significant reduction in participant reported pain; (ii) altered specific nutrients with two of five studies reporting a significant reduction in participant reported pain; (iii) supplement‐based interventions with 11 of 46 studies showing a significant reduction in pain; and (iv) fasting therapy with one of four studies reporting a significant reduction in pain. The meta‐analysis found that, overall, nutrition interventions had a significant effect on pain reduction with studies testing an altered overall diet or just one nutrient having the greatest effect. Conclusions This review highlights the importance and effectiveness of nutrition interventions for people who experience chronic pain.