Event-related evoked potential responses (P300) following epidural methylprednisolone therapy in chronic low back pain patients.

Abstract

P300 event-related potentials were recorded in 12 patients with chronic low back pain following epidural methylprednisolone administration. The values of absolute peak latencies and amplitudes of P300 were recorded before (baseline) and on the 5th and 10th days following epidural injection. Intensity of pain was also recorded using a 10-cm visual analogue scale score. The absolute peak latency of P300 significantly decreased on the 5th and 10th days following epidural methylprednisolone (p < 0.001) when compared with baseline value. Visual analogue scores also decreased significantly (p < 0.001) after the 5th and 10th days of epidural methylprednisolone. These observations suggest that following epidural methylprednisolone administration in chronic low back pain patients, significant improvement in cognitive functions and pain relief go hand in hand.