Article
Palmitoylethanolamide Sciatica Research: What the 636-Adult Trial Found
Palmitoylethanolamide sciatica research centers on one trial of 636 adults with sciatic pain from nerve root compression. People took 300 mg, 600 mg or placebo for 3 weeks. The 600 mg group reported the largest drop in pain. SciatiEase has 500 mg of PEA per 4 capsules, and no trial tested the product.
Written by the SciatiEase label deskUpdated · 4 min read
The trial01
What did the palmitoylethanolamide sciatica trial find?
The palmitoylethanolamide sciatica trial found that both doses beat placebo, and 600 mg beat 300 mg. It was double-blind and ran 3 weeks (Keppel Hesselink, J Pain Res 2015).
| Group | Start | After 3 weeks |
|---|---|---|
| PEA 600 mg a day | 7.1 | 2.1 |
| Placebo | 6.6 | 4.6 |
No one dropped out because of side effects (Keppel Hesselink, J Pain Res 2015).
The people02
Who was in the sciatica trial?
The 636 adults all had sciatic pain from nerve root compression. That is pressure near the spine.
- Lower backPain may start here or not at all. Many people with sciatica feel more in the leg than in the back.
- Nerve roots, L4 to S3The nerve begins as roots leaving the lower spine. A bulging disc or a narrowed spine at these roots is the usual cause of sciatica.
- ButtockThe nerve passes deep in the buttock. Sitting can make the ache or burning worse.
- Back of the thighPain often shoots down the back of one leg, sometimes like an electric shock.
- KneeAbove the knee the nerve splits into two branches that run down the lower leg.
- Calf and shinNumbness, tingling or pins and needles are common here. Weakness needs a doctor's look.
- FootSymptoms can reach the foot and toes. A foot that drags or slaps when you walk is a reason to get checked soon.
A simplified route, usually on one side only. Sources: MedlinePlus (MedlinePlus, Sciatica) and StatPearls (StatPearls, Sciatica). Pain along the line has many causes; a clinician sorts out which one.
A second look03
What did the later reanalysis add?
A later reanalysis of the 600 mg group reported a number needed to treat of 1.7 for pain. That means about 2 people took PEA for each one who gained a clear benefit over placebo (Cruccu et al., PEA sciatica 2019).
It was a post-hoc look at old data, so it is a lead, not a verdict.
- It studied micronized PEA; the label does not say which form
SciatiEase: from $49 a bottle120 capsules · 1, 3 or 6 bottles · free US shipping on 3 or 6 · 180-day guarantee
See packsYour decision04
Does the trial apply to a 4-capsule serving?
A 4-capsule serving holds 500 mg of PEA, between the two trial doses. Two capsules hold 250 mg. Keep taking prescribed medicine, and see a doctor if pain lasts past 4 weeks (MedlinePlus, Sciatica).
Three bottles cost $177, six cost $294, with a 180-day guarantee. See the ingredients guide and how to take SciatiEase.
FAQ05
About the PEA sciatica trial
How strong was the evidence from the 636-adult PEA trial?
It was a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, which is a solid design, but it lasted only 3 weeks and used a single PEA form. Later work reanalyzed the same data.
What does number needed to treat of 1.7 mean?
It means about 1.7 people must take the treatment for one to gain a clear benefit over placebo. Lower numbers look better, but a reanalysis is weaker proof than a new trial.
Did the sciatica trial test SciatiEase?
No. It tested PEA by itself, at 300 and 600 mg a day. SciatiEase mixes PEA with other ingredients, and no trial has tested the product as a whole.
Who wrote this06
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