Spinal Cord Stimulation Outperforms Conventional Management in Chronic Pain Relief
News Context
At a glance
- Overview: New research shows that spinal cord stimulation (SCS) therapies are more effective than conventional medical management (CMM) for reducing chronic back and leg pain.
- Study Leadership and Publication: The study was led by Frank J.P.M.
- Limitations and Funding: This study received funding from Medtronic.
Spinal Cord Stimulation Therapy for Chronic Pain
Overview:
New research shows that spinal cord stimulation (SCS) therapies are more effective than conventional medical management (CMM) for reducing chronic back and leg pain.
Research Method:
- A systematic review and network meta-analysis examined 13 randomized clinical trials.
- The study included over 1,500 adults suffering from chronic back and leg pain who had no prior SCS treatment.
- Novel therapies evaluated include high-frequency, burst, differential target multiplexed, and closed-loop SCS. Conventional therapies evaluated include tonic SCS waveforms.
- Researchers assessed pain intensity, quality of life (measured by EuroQol-5 Dimensions), and functional disability (using the Oswestry Disability Index).
- Data was collected at multiple follow-up points: 3, 6, 12, and 24 months. Six-month data represented the longest reported time across all outcomes.
Key Findings:
- Both conventional and novel SCS therapies surpassed CMM for pain reduction.
- Novel SCS therapies resulted in a greater likelihood (odds ratio 8.76) of achieving at least a 50% reduction in back pain.
- The average pain intensity reduced significantly for both SCS types, with novel therapies showing a mean difference of −2.34 for back pain and −4.01 for lower leg pain.
- Quality of life improved with both therapies, with novel SCS therapies achieving a mean difference of 0.17 in EQ-5D index scores.
- Conventional SCS showed the most significant functional improvement (mean difference of −7.10 in Oswestry Disability Index scores) compared to CMM.
Study Leadership and Publication:
The study was led by Frank J.P.M. Huygen, PhD, MD, from Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands. It was published online on November 14 in JAMA Network Open.
Limitations and Funding:
This study received funding from Medtronic. Huygen reported outside personal fees from Abbott, Saluda, and Grunenthal. The other authors disclosed funding from Medtronic.