Table 2 Instruments, assessments, and timing of assessments

Sampling form

Inclusion/exclusion criteria

Before randomization

Sociodemographic data form

Sociodemographic data (age, sex, BMI)

Baseline

Baseline clinical data form

Medical history, concomitant medications, and analgesic drugs to control HZ-related pain

Baseline, 1, 4, 6, and 12 weeks

Visual analogue scale pain score

Severity of pain before/after therapy

Baseline, 4, 6, and 12 weeks

SF-12 questionnaire

Health-related quality of life

Baseline and 12 weeks

Monitor adherence

Indirect method: patient questionnaires, patient self-reports, and pill counts

12 weeks

Adverse events

Adverse event evaluations related to study medication

1, 4, 6, and 12 weeks

MOS Sleep Scale

Extent of sleep problems (sleep initiation, maintenance, respiratory problems, quantity, perceived adequacy, and somnolence)

Baseline and 12 weeks

DN4

Neuropathic pain consisting of interview questions and physical tests

Baseline and 12 weeks

Analgesic consumption form

Total consumption of analgesic drugs during the study period

12 weeks

Number of patients on analgesics at the end of the study