In people with spinal cord injury and refractory neuropathic pain, the use of Capsaicin 8% patch is associated with improvement in pain and mobility.

A randomized controlled trial was carried out to examine the effect of Capsaicin 8% patch on pain, function, and quality of life in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) focal neuropathic pain. 

Over the course of two 12-week periods, 11 people with SCI who were experiencing neuropathic pain that was resistant to two oral painkillers either got a Capsaicin 8% patch or a control low dosage  Capsaicin 0.025% patch (CON).

At 2-4 week intervals, the World Health Organization quality of life (WHO-QOL), functional status (spinal cord independence measure [SCIM]), and pain (Visual Analogue Scale [VAS], Multidimensional Pain Inventory-spinal cord injury [MPI-SCI]) were assessed.

With remarkable pain reductions of 35% and 29% at weeks two and four, respectively, the Capsaicin 8% patch exhibited a significant impact over CON on MPI-SCI and VAS. On the SCIM mobility subscale, the Capsaicin 8% patch furthermore outperformed CON in terms of the primary therapy impact. With the Capsaicin 8% patch, no improvement in WHO-QOL ratings was noted.

Patients with SCI and refractory neuropathic pain benefit from the application of Capsaicin 8% patch. It is important to conduct larger research to assess the effect of repeat applications on QOL results.