Abstract
INTRODUCTION
Novel technologies to support real-time patient education, engagement and scalable outcomes monitoring to make clinically meaningful decisions are needed. The ManageMySurgery (MMS) Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS) module is a mobile clinical decision support application that provides: (1) a mobile, patient-centered engagement tool for delivering pre-, peri- and postoperative SCS information; (2) scalable patient-reported outcomes collection; (3) a HIPAA-compliant 2-way messaging platform with a Clinical Specialist Educator for real-time support and goal setting.
METHODS
Prospective data was collected using the MMS mobile smartphone application in patients undergoing Medtronic SCS trial and permanent implant procedures. E-consent was obtained through the HIPAA compliant, mobile software platform. All data was de-identified, aggregated and analyzed.
RESULTS
A total of 20 patients (15-trial SCS and 5 permanent SCS patients) agreed to participate and logged onto the mobile software platform. For trial SCS patients, 100% of those that participated experienced >50% pain relief as documented in their patient-reported outcomes. Furthermore, patients found various features of the software platform helpful for navigating different aspects of their SCS procedure, with 81% finding MMS helpful in preparing for their SCS procedure, 88% finding MMS helpful in recovering from their SCS procedure and 94% in communicating with their Clinical Specialist Educator. In addition, 95% of patients would recommend MMS to a friend or family member.
CONCLUSION
The MMS platform appears to have utility both during the SCS Trial and Permanent procedures. In patients with chronic pain, novel patient engagement and follow-up tools such as MMS may be a good option for keeping patients engaged with the therapy and ensuring patients stay on track during their procedural journey. Randomized, controlled trials with extended follow-up are in progress and needed to further evaluate the utility of MMS in patients with chronic pain undergoing SCS.
Utility of a Mobile Clinical Decision Support Application in Patients Undergoing Spinal Cord Stimulation.