Unlocking Relief: Investigating the Impact of a Fixed Combination of Acetyl-L-Carnitine and Palmitoylethanolamide on Traumatic Acute Low Back Pain.

BACKGROUND

Peripheral neuropathies encompass a diverse group of disorders involving peripheral nerve damage, often leading to pain, sensory disturbances, and motor impairments. The etiology is multifactorial, with trauma as a key contributor. The treatment of peripheral neuropathies includes medications targeting the nociceptive component, whereas the neuropathic component is managed with agents such as gabapentinoids or antidepressants, though their prolonged use is limited by significant side effects. Some neuroprotective compounds, such as acetyl-L-carnitine (ALC), palmitoylethanolamide (PEA), and alpha-lipoic acid (ALA), have emerged as potential alternatives due to their anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties.

METHODS

This monocentric, observational, single-arm longitudinal study evaluated the efficacy of a fixed combination containing ALC, PEA, and ALA (as an adjuvant to the previous two) and Boswellia serrata, Vitamin E, and Vitamin B6 in patients with acute low back trauma. Over 8 weeks, 48 participants received the supplement alongside conventional therapy. The primary end point was improvement in neuropathic pain assessed via the Neuropathic Pain Scale (NPS) and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Secondary endpoints included quality of life (SF-36) changes, reduced NSAID consumption, and adverse events.

RESULTS

The study showed significant reductions in NPS and VAS scores and improvements in physical health-related SF-36 domains, with reduced NSAID consumption. Participants with more severe baseline symptoms demonstrated the greatest benefits. No significant changes were observed in emotional parameters. Adverse events were mild and in a very limited number of patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Results suggest the combination's potential to improve pain and reduce reliance on conventional therapies; however, further controlled randomized trials are needed to validate these findings.