Bisphosphonate Pamidronate for Treatment of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Type I: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
J Pain Palliat Care Pharmacother. 2026 Apr 17:1-13. doi: 10.1080/15360288.2026.2659129. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
This review aims to evaluate the evidence regarding effectiveness of intravenous pamidronate in individuals with complex regional pain syndrome type I (CRPS I), focusing on pain reduction, functional outcomes, and dosing strategies. "PsycINFO, PubMed, EMBASE, SCOPUS, Web of Science, PEDro, and CINAHL" were searched until October 2025. The quality of the studies was evaluated using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scale for randomized controlled trials (RCTs), the ROBINS-I tool for non-randomized controlled trials (non-RCTs), and the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale for observational studies. Seven studies met the eligibility criteria. Two studies were of high quality, two had a high risk of bias, and three had a moderate risk of bias. The meta-analysis of three studies showed a non-significant effect size of 0.722 (Cohen's d, p = 0.381) with high heterogeneity (Q = 17.203, p < 0.001; I2 = 88%) and a wide prediction interval (-19.257 to 20.701), highlighting high uncertainty and the need for cautious interpretation due to the limited studies. Intravenous pamidronate may offer symptom relief for individuals with CRPS I, particularly in reducing pain and edema and improving function. Given the heterogeneity of the studies and limited sample sizes, findings should be interpreted as preliminary and hypothesis-generating rather than definitive.
PMID:41996544 | DOI:10.1080/15360288.2026.2659129