Aim: Implantable device treatment may improve psychosocial and pain-specific outcomes. This paper reports outcomes following receipt of an implantable pain device in a population of military veterans. Materials/methods: 120 veterans completed a pre-implantable pain device psychological evaluation of mood, anxiety, pain disability and intensity, cognition, functional goals, walking tolerance, substance use and sleep. Of those evaluated, 25/120 (20.8%) received a pain device in the 12 months following their evaluation and repeated the evaluation to assess changes. Results: Veterans receiving pain devices endorsed significant improvements in pain intensity and pain disability. Pre-to-post-implant changes on psychosocial characteristics varied substantially. Conclusion: Veterans evaluated for implantable pain devices frequently endorsed symptoms of psychological distress and functional impairment and showed highly varied psychosocial changes with treatment.
Keywords: chronic pain; mental health; psychological assessment; spinal column stimulation; veterans.
Spinal column stimulation (SCS) is a treatment for chronic pain involving the surgical placement of a medical device used to reduce pain symptoms. Although SCS is known to reduce pain intensity, recent research suggests that SCS may also improve physical function, quality of life and perhaps even mental health. This study tested the potential for broader benefits of SCS among 120 US military veterans. Each veteran completed a set of measures during their spinal column stimulation treatment process about pain, function, quality of life, mental health and treatment goals. Those obtaining an SCS were contacted up to a year later to retake the measures to identify improvements they experienced. Before SCS treatment, veterans often reported problems with pain, disability, sleep, quality of life and mental health. Furthermore, among those veterans who completed their follow-up visit, many reported improvements in these areas.