scholarly journals Peripheral Nerve Stimulation for Chronic Pain: A Systematic Review of Effectiveness and Safety

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Standiford Helm ◽  
Nikita Shirsat ◽  
Aaron Calodney ◽  
Alaa Abd-Elsayed ◽  
David Kloth ◽  
...  
2021 ◽  
pp. E131-E152

BACKGROUND: Peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) has been increasingly used to manage acute and chronic pain. However, the level of clinical evidence to support its use is not clear. OBJECTIVES: To assess the clinical evidence of PNS in the treatment of acute or chronic pain. STUDY DESIGN: A systematic review of the efficacy and safety of PNS in managing acute or chronic pain. METHODS: Data sources were PubMed, Cochrane Library, Scopus, CINAHL Plus, Google Scholar, and reference lists. The literature search was performed up to December 2019. Study selection included randomized trials, observational studies, and case reports of PNS in acute or chronic pain. Data extraction and methodological quality assessment were performed utilizing Cochrane review methodologic quality assessment and Interventional Pain Management Techniques–Quality Appraisal of Reliability and Risk of Bias Assessment (IPM-QRB) and Interventional Pain Management Techniques–Quality Appraisal of Reliability and Risk of Bias Assessment for Nonrandomized Studies (IPM-QRBNR). The evidence was summarized utilizing principles of best evidence synthesis on a scale of 1 to 5. Data syntheses: 227 studies met inclusion criteria and were included in qualitative synthesis. RESULTS: Evidence synthesis based on randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies showed Level I and II evidence of PNS in chronic migraine headache; Level II evidence in cluster headache, postamputation pain, chronic pelvic pain, chronic low back and lower extremity pain; and Level IV evidence in peripheral neuropathic pain, and postsurgical pain. Peripheral field stimulation has Level II evidence in chronic low back pain, and Level IV evidence in cranial pain. LIMITATIONS: Lack of high-quality RCTs. Meta-analysis was not possible due to wide variations in experimental design, research protocol, and heterogeneity of study population. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this systematic review suggest that PNS may be effective in managing chronic headaches, postamputation pain, chronic pelvic pain, and chronic low back and lower extremity pain, with variable levels of evidence in favor of this technique. KEY WORDS: Acute pain, chronic pain, neuromodulation, peripheral nerve stimulation


Pain Medicine ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S6-S12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tiffany Lin ◽  
Akshat Gargya ◽  
Harmandeep Singh ◽  
Eellan Sivanesan ◽  
Amitabh Gulati

Abstract Introduction With the advancement of technology, peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) has been increasingly used to treat various chronic pain conditions. Its origin is based on the gate control theory postulated by Wall and Melzack in 1965. However, the exact mechanism behind PNS’ analgesic effect is largely unknown. In this article, we performed a comprehensive literature review to overview the PNS mechanism of action. Design A comprehensive literature review on the mechanism of PNS in chronic pain. Methods Comprehensive review of the available literature on the mechanism of PNS in chronic pain. Data were derived from database searches of PubMed, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library and manual searches of bibliographies and known primary or review articles. Results Animal, human, and imaging studies have demonstrated the peripheral and central analgesic mechanisms of PNS by modulating the inflammatory pathways, the autonomic nervous system, the endogenous pain inhibition pathways, and involvement of the cortical and subcortical areas. Conclusions Peripheral nerve stimulation exhibits its neuromodulatory effect both peripherally and centrally. Further understanding of the mechanism of PNS can help guide stimulation approaches and parameters to optimize the use of PNS.


2019 ◽  
Vol 45 (1) ◽  
pp. 44-51 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher A Gilmore ◽  
Brian M Ilfeld ◽  
Joshua M Rosenow ◽  
Sean Li ◽  
Mehul J Desai ◽  
...  

IntroductionPeripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) has historically been used to treat chronic pain, but generally requires implantation of a permanent system for sustained relief. A recent study found that a 60-day PNS treatment decreases post-amputation pain, and the current work investigates longer-term outcomes out to 12 months in the same cohort.MethodsAs previously reported, 28 traumatic lower extremity amputees with residual and/or phantom limb pain were randomized to receive 8 weeks of PNS (group 1) or 4 weeks of placebo followed by a crossover 4 weeks of PNS (group 2). Percutaneous leads were implanted under ultrasound guidance targeting the femoral and sciatic nerves. During follow-up, changes in average pain and pain interference were assessed using the Brief Pain Inventory–Short Form and comparing with baseline.ResultsSignificantly more participants in group 1 reported ≥50% reductions in average weekly pain at 12 months (67%, 6/9) compared with group 2 at the end of the placebo period (0%, 0/14, p=0.001). Similarly, 56% (5/9) of participants in group 1 reported ≥50% reductions in pain interference at 12 months, compared with 2/13 (15%, p=0.074) in group 2 at crossover. Reductions in depression were also statistically significantly greater at 12 months in group 1 compared with group 2 at crossover.ConclusionsThis work suggests that percutaneous PNS delivered over a 60-day period may provide significant carry-over effects including pain relief, potentially avoiding the need for a permanently implanted system while enabling improved function in patients with chronic pain.Trial registration numberNCT01996254.


1976 ◽  
Vol 45 (6) ◽  
pp. 692-699 ◽  
Author(s):  
James N. Campbell ◽  
Donlin M. Long

✓ Peripheral nerve stimulating devices were implanted for pain control in 33 patients with a variety of disabling chronic pain conditions, which had persisted despite usual medical and surgical therapy. The implants were placed on major nerves innervating the area of the patient's pain. Records were obtained of each patient's stated relief from pain produced by nerve stimulation, along with assessments of narcotic withdrawal, ability to return to work, sleep pattern, and relief from depression. Based on these five criteria 17 patients were judged to be treatment failures, while eight patients had excellent results, and seven had intermediate results. Twelve of the failures were in patients with either low back pain with sciatica, or pain from metastatic disease. The most dramatic successes occurred in patients with peripheral nerve trauma. The incidence of complications has been low, and two patients have used the stimulator for 5 years without adverse effects. Techniques of peripheral stimulator implantation, possible mechanisms of action, and conclusions regarding peripheral nerve stimulation in the treatment of chronic pain are discussed.


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