Combined Rehabilitation with Alpha Lipoic Acid, Acetyl-L-Carnitine, Resveratrol, and Cholecalciferolin Discogenic Sciatica in Young People: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

2023-12-18
Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) 59(12)
- Dalila Scaturro
- Fabio Vitagliani
- Sofia Tomasello
- Cristiano Sconza
- Stefano Respizzi
- Giulia Letizia Mauro

PubMed: 38138300
DOI: 10.3390/medicina59122197

Study Design

Type: Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)
Sample size: n = 128
Population: 128 patients with sciatica
Methods: prospective observational study; divided into 3 groups: Combo group received rehabilitation protocol and daily therapy with 600 mg Alpha Lipoic Acid, 1000 mg Acetyl-L-Carnitine, 50 mg Resveratrol, and 800 UI Cholecalciferol for 30 days; Reha group received only rehabilitation protocol; Supplement group received only oral supplementation with same supplements for 30 days
Duration: 30 days
Funding: Unclear

Large Human Trial

Background and Objectives: In the Western world, back pain and sciatica are among the main causes of disability and absence from work with significant personal, social, and economic costs. This prospective observational study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a rehabilitation program combined with the administration of Alpha Lipoic Acid, Acetyl-L-Carnitine, Resveratrol, and Cholecalciferol in the treatment of sciatica due to herniated discs in young patients in terms of pain resolution, postural alterations, taking painkillers, and quality of life. Materials and Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted on 128 patients with sciatica. We divided the sample into 3 groups: the Combo group, which received a combination of rehabilitation protocol and daily therapy with 600 mg Alpha Lipoic Acid, 1000 mg Acetyl-L-Carnitine, 50 mg Resveratrol, and 800 UI Cholecalciferol for 30 days; the Reha group, which received only a rehabilitation protocol; and the Supplement group, which received only oral supplementation with 600 mg Alpha Lipoic Acid, 1000 mg Acetyl-L-Carnitine, 50 mg Resveratrol, and 800 UI Cholecalciferol. Clinical assessments were made at the time of recruitment (T0), 30 days after the start of treatment (T1), and 60 days after the end of treatment (T2). The rating scales were as follows: the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS); the Oswestry Disability Questionnaire (ODQ); and the 36-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36). All patients also underwent an instrumental stabilometric evaluation. Results: At T1, the Combo group showed statistically superior results compared to the other groups for pain (p < 0.05), disability (p < 0.05), and quality of life (p < 0.05). At T2, the Combo group showed statistically superior results compared to the other groups only for pain (p < 0.05) and quality of life (p < 0.05). From the analysis of the stabilometric evaluation data, we only observed a statistically significant improvement at T2 in the Combo group for the average X (p < 0.05) compared to the other groups. Conclusions: The combined treatment of rehabilitation and supplements with anti-inflammatory, pain-relieving, and antioxidant action is effective in the treatment of sciatica and can be useful in improving postural stability.

Research Insights

Acetyl-Carnitine→Reduced Disability
At T1, the Combo group showed statistically superior results compared to the other groups for disability (p < 0.05).
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Dose
800 IU/day
Acetyl-Carnitine→Reduced Pain
At T1, the Combo group showed statistically superior results compared to the other groups for pain (p < 0.05). At T2, the Combo group showed statistically superior results compared to the other groups only for pain (p < 0.05).
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Dose
800 IU/day
Resveratrol→Reduced Disability
At T1, the Combo group showed statistically superior results compared to the other groups for disability (p < 0.05).
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Dose
800 IU/day
Resveratrol→Reduced Pain
At T1, the Combo group showed statistically superior results compared to the other groups for pain (p < 0.05). At T2, the Combo group showed statistically superior results compared to the other groups only for pain (p < 0.05).
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Dose
800 IU/day
Vitamin D→Reduced Disability
At T1, the Combo group showed statistically superior results compared to the other groups for disability (p < 0.05).
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Dose
800 IU/day
Vitamin D→Reduced Pain
At T1, the Combo group showed statistically superior results compared to the other groups for pain (p < 0.05). At T2, the Combo group showed statistically superior results compared to the other groups only for pain (p < 0.05).
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Dose
800 IU/day