Objectives: To examine the feasibility of novel high-frequency spinal cord stimulation therapy in a cohort of patients with chronic predominant back pain during a four day, percutaneous trial.
Design: Prospective, multicenter open label pilot trial.
Setting and patients: Twenty-four patients with back pain greater than leg pain who were candidates for spinal cord stimulation were trialed at five U.S. centers.
Interventions: Patients completed a percutaneous trial with a commercially available spinal cord stimulator. The implanted leads were then connected to the novel external stimulation device and patients were trialed for an additional four days.
Outcome measures: Pain intensity ratings, subjective descriptions, and patients' preference.
Results: There was significant improvement from baseline in overall pain scores (8.68 to 2.03, [p < 0.001]) and back pain scores (8.12 to 1.88, [p < 0.001]) with the investigational stimulation. The investigational stimulation was preferred to the commercially available systems in 21 of 24 patients (88%).
Conclusions: Patients with predominant back pain reported a substantial reduction in overall pain and back pain when trialed with high-frequency spinal cord stimulation therapy.
Keywords: Axial back pain; failed back surgery syndrome; high frequency; low back pain; neuromodulation; neurostimulation; spinal cord stimulation.
© 2013 International Neuromodulation Society.