Abstract

Introduction: Pain is one of the most frequent symptoms of Post Poliomyelitis Syndrome (PPS) and its treatment also includes medication. The no otropic agent Piracetam enhances neuronal effectiveness and the compound L-Carnitine generates muscle energy. Considering that pain in PPS is related to muscle overuse or disuse, it is assumed that supplementation with a fixed-dose combination of L-Carnitine + Piracetam improves muscle performance, reducing pain.

Objective: To analyze the effect of a fixed-dose combination of L-Carnitine + Piracetam on pain in PPS patients.

Method: A randomized, double-blind clinical trial, has compared the use of a fixed-dose combination of L-Carnitine + Piracetam to placebo, in the treatment of pain in 94 patients at the PPSambulatory care center of UNIFESP.

Results: Both groups reported a reduction inpain, however, only the active group improved functional performance after using the medication.

Conclusion: the use of a fixed-dose combination of L-Carnitine + Piracetam is efficient in the treatment of pain in PPS patients.

Keywords

drug treatment, L-carnitine, pain, piracetam, post poliomyelitis syndrome, rehabilitation, physical rehabilitation, body mechanics, heat applications, intravenous immunoglobulin, functioning of muscles, intramitochondrial transportation, cognitive functions