Considerations

There are several factors relevant to pain, and its management, that should be considered when deciding whether to implement an intervention or when assessing its efficacy based on clinical trials and individual response.

Response in a clinical trial—a documented number needed to treat (NNT) from a clinical trial does not always accurately describe the expected outcome for an individual patient. The absolute response rate may differ from the NNT due to influence from the placebo effect and the clinical setting in which the NNT was determined. See here for further advice on interpreting the NNT.

Response in an individual—this differs depending on the clinical context in which an intervention is delivered. For example, a positive patient-doctor relationship may enhance the patient’s response to an intervention. Also see Placebo effects in pain.