Spinal Cord Stimulation for Spinal Cord Injury-Related Pain: A Pilot Study
Background: Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) has emerged as an effective treatment for managing chronic pain that is unresponsive to traditional therapies. While SCS is well documented for conditions like failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS) and complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), its effectiveness i...
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MDPI AG
2024-11-01
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| author | Alexander Alamri Meredith MacDonald Alaa Al-Mohammad Lucia Ricciardi Michael G. Hart Erlick A. Pereira |
| author_facet | Alexander Alamri Meredith MacDonald Alaa Al-Mohammad Lucia Ricciardi Michael G. Hart Erlick A. Pereira |
| author_sort | Alexander Alamri |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) has emerged as an effective treatment for managing chronic pain that is unresponsive to traditional therapies. While SCS is well documented for conditions like failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS) and complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), its effectiveness in managing pain related to spinal cord injuries (SCI) is less studied. This study aims to assess the efficacy of SCS in alleviating SCI-related pain and improving patients’ quality of life, filling a gap in the existing literature. Methods: This cohort study included 15 adult patients with traumatic and non-traumatic SCIs, treated between 2016 and 2022. Patients received SCS implants after either a trial or direct implantation. Pain levels were assessed using visual analog scale (VAS) scores, while quality of life was evaluated using the EuroQol five-dimensional (EQ-5D) scale. The SCS devices were implanted at different spinal levels, with various stimulation protocols applied, including high-frequency stimulation (10 kHz). Results: In patients with traumatic SCI, the mean VAS score decreased from 8.6 to 4.5, with 71% reporting more than 50% pain relief. Non-traumatic SCI patients experienced a reduction from 8.5 to 2.5, with all showing more than 50% pain relief. EQ-5D scores improved in both groups. A 49% reduction in pain medication usage was also observed, though one patient required revision surgery due to an adverse event. Conclusions: SCS significantly reduces pain and improves quality of life for SCI patients, particularly with high-frequency protocols. While promising, further research is needed to optimize patient selection and stimulation parameters for better long-term outcomes. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-b2cb0d9568d742b1b76d29793ad8501b |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2076-3425 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-11-01 |
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| series | Brain Sciences |
| spelling | doaj-art-b2cb0d9568d742b1b76d29793ad8501b2025-08-20T02:55:44ZengMDPI AGBrain Sciences2076-34252024-11-011412117310.3390/brainsci14121173Spinal Cord Stimulation for Spinal Cord Injury-Related Pain: A Pilot StudyAlexander Alamri0Meredith MacDonald1Alaa Al-Mohammad2Lucia Ricciardi3Michael G. Hart4Erlick A. Pereira5Institute of Neurosciences and Cell Biology, City St. George’s, University of London, London WC1E 7HU, UKDepartment of Neurosurgery, St. George’s University Hospital, London SW17 0QT, UKDepartment of Neurosurgery, St. George’s University Hospital, London SW17 0QT, UKInstitute of Neurosciences and Cell Biology, City St. George’s, University of London, London WC1E 7HU, UKDepartment of Neurosurgery, St. George’s University Hospital, London SW17 0QT, UKDepartment of Neurosurgery, St. George’s University Hospital, London SW17 0QT, UKBackground: Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) has emerged as an effective treatment for managing chronic pain that is unresponsive to traditional therapies. While SCS is well documented for conditions like failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS) and complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), its effectiveness in managing pain related to spinal cord injuries (SCI) is less studied. This study aims to assess the efficacy of SCS in alleviating SCI-related pain and improving patients’ quality of life, filling a gap in the existing literature. Methods: This cohort study included 15 adult patients with traumatic and non-traumatic SCIs, treated between 2016 and 2022. Patients received SCS implants after either a trial or direct implantation. Pain levels were assessed using visual analog scale (VAS) scores, while quality of life was evaluated using the EuroQol five-dimensional (EQ-5D) scale. The SCS devices were implanted at different spinal levels, with various stimulation protocols applied, including high-frequency stimulation (10 kHz). Results: In patients with traumatic SCI, the mean VAS score decreased from 8.6 to 4.5, with 71% reporting more than 50% pain relief. Non-traumatic SCI patients experienced a reduction from 8.5 to 2.5, with all showing more than 50% pain relief. EQ-5D scores improved in both groups. A 49% reduction in pain medication usage was also observed, though one patient required revision surgery due to an adverse event. Conclusions: SCS significantly reduces pain and improves quality of life for SCI patients, particularly with high-frequency protocols. While promising, further research is needed to optimize patient selection and stimulation parameters for better long-term outcomes.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3425/14/12/1173spinal cord stimulationchronic painspinal cord injuryhigh-frequency stimulationneuropathic painpain management |
| spellingShingle | Alexander Alamri Meredith MacDonald Alaa Al-Mohammad Lucia Ricciardi Michael G. Hart Erlick A. Pereira Spinal Cord Stimulation for Spinal Cord Injury-Related Pain: A Pilot Study Brain Sciences spinal cord stimulation chronic pain spinal cord injury high-frequency stimulation neuropathic pain pain management |
| title | Spinal Cord Stimulation for Spinal Cord Injury-Related Pain: A Pilot Study |
| title_full | Spinal Cord Stimulation for Spinal Cord Injury-Related Pain: A Pilot Study |
| title_fullStr | Spinal Cord Stimulation for Spinal Cord Injury-Related Pain: A Pilot Study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Spinal Cord Stimulation for Spinal Cord Injury-Related Pain: A Pilot Study |
| title_short | Spinal Cord Stimulation for Spinal Cord Injury-Related Pain: A Pilot Study |
| title_sort | spinal cord stimulation for spinal cord injury related pain a pilot study |
| topic | spinal cord stimulation chronic pain spinal cord injury high-frequency stimulation neuropathic pain pain management |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3425/14/12/1173 |
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