Background Outcome selection in regional anesthesia and acute pain research is inconsistent, often lacking patient-centered priorities and validated instruments. We aimed to prioritize key outcomes and propose suitable measurement tools to improve the quality, consistency, and relevance of regional anesthesia research.
Methods We conducted a multiround Delphi process, including two electronic voting rounds, a multiday in-person meeting, and a patient panel. Experts and patients evaluated existing and proposed outcomes for importance, validity, and relevance. Outcomes reaching =70% agreement were prioritized, and appropriate measurement instruments were identified.
Results Thirty-two experts and three patients participated. Across three Delphi rounds, 10 outcomes were prioritized for future regional anesthesia research: seven efficacy outcomes (pain scores; opioid consumption; Brief Pain Inventory; functional outcomes; cognitive function; length of stay; block duration); two multidimensional outcomes (quality of recovery and development of a regional anesthesia-specific quality-of-recovery instrument); one safety outcome (chronic postsurgical pain). Patients prioritized cognitive recovery, function, chronic pain, and pain scores.
Conclusions This consensus-based, patient-centered framework defines the core priorities for future regional anesthesia and acute pain research. Future work should focus on developing and validating a regional anesthesia-specific quality-of-recovery instrument, refining multidimensional measures such as functional recovery, cognitive outcomes, and the Brief Pain Inventory, and standardizing the reporting of chronic pain and opioid-related outcomes. Adoption of these priorities will enhance methodological consistency, comparability, and patient relevance in future clinical trials.
Kariem El-Boghdadly, Samer Narouze, Amany Ezzat Ayad, Stavros G. Memtsoudis, Kristin L. Schreiber, Paul S. Myles, Gillian Radcliffe, Kate Rivett, Zuzana Princova, Sanjib Adhikary, Eric Albrecht, James Bowness, Kenneth Candido, Steve Coppens, Rajnish K. Gupta, Marie Hanna, Rebecca L. Johnson, Enas Kandil, Lynn Kohan, Sandra KoppClara Lobo, Eleni Moka, Iyabo O. Muse, Afak Nsiri, Jeffrey J. Pasternak, Carlos Pino, Vinita Singh, Andre Theron, Reda Tolba, Peter B.C. Van de Putte, Morné Wolmarans, Nabil M. Elkassabany
Disease Category: Anaesthesia & pain control
Disease Name:
Age Range: 18 - 100
Sex: Either
Nature of Intervention: Any
- Clinical experts
- Consumers (patients)
- Prioritising
- Recommendations for outcome measures (measurement/how)
- Recommendations made
- Consensus meeting
- Delphi process