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Topical Area: Medical Nutrition/Case Study Vignettes

Medical Nutrition/Case Study Vignettes (Poster Session)

(P08-014-23) Reducing Facial Pain With an Extra Virgin Olive Oil Enriched Diet

Saturday, July 22, 2023
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM ET
Location: Poster Board 96
Disclosure(s):
Melissa L. Moreno, B.S.: No relevant financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.


Objectives: Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) may potentially protect myelin and reduce pain symptoms experienced by adults with demyelination-related trigeminal neuralgia. This study aimed to determine if EVOO alleviates facial pain caused by trigeminal neuralgia and improves quality of life.

Methods: A non-blinded, parallel 16-week study was carried out. Self-identifying adult women were recruited nationally through the Facial Pain Research Foundation listserv. Following a 4-week baseline, participants were randomized to either EVOO or control for 12 weeks. Both groups were educated on healthy eating, and the EVOO group received individualized guidance on incorporating 60 mL/day of EVOO into their daily diet. The Penn Facial Pain Scale (Penn-FPS) was completed weekly, and the 36-Item Short Form Survey (SF-36) was completed monthly.

Results: Participants (n=52; 53.3±12.9) were recruited, and 42 women completed the study. The EVOO group showed significant pain improvement with a 1.3-point decrease in pain interference with general function (p < 0.01), a 1.1-point decrease in orofacial function (p < 0.01), and a 0.8-point decrease in overall severity of pain (p < 0.01) whereas the control group showed no improvements. A between-group comparison (change from baseline) showed a trend towards EVOO benefit in the Penn-FPS item, ‘interference with orofacial function’ (p=0.05). For the SF-36 items, ‘role limitations due to emotional problems’ (p < 0.01) and ‘role limitations due to physical health’ (p < 0.05) favored EVOO.

Conclusions: The results suggest that daily EVOO intake may improve aspects of quality of life, alleviate pain interference with general and facial activities of daily living, and lessen pain intensity in adults experiencing facial pain due to trigeminal neuralgia. Research is needed to further assess the effects of EVOO on facial pain in trigeminal neuralgia in a longer-term, multi-centered trial and elucidate its potential role in myelination.

Funding Sources: Facial Pain Research Foundation (FPRF)