Prospective, two-part study of the interaction between spinal cord stimulation and peripheral nerve field stimulation in patients with low back pain: development of a new spinal-peripheral neurostimulation method

Abstract

Objective: The goal of the study was to assess the efficacy of interaction between spinal cord stimulation (SCS) and peripheral nerve field stimulation (PNFS) and to evaluate a new spinal-peripheral neuromodulation method for low back pain.

Materials and methods: The prospective two-part study included patients with low back pain due to failed back surgery syndrome and/or spinal stenosis. In the first part 20 patients were implanted with SCS and PNFS. They selected the best program out of three: SCS alone, PNFS alone, or both together. In the second part another 20 patients with the same implanted leads were selecting between three programs: SCS and PNFS separately, SCS as anode and PNFS as cathode, or in reverse.

Results: In the first part 79% of the patients selected simultaneous use of SCS and PNFS. The overall success of the trials was 85%. In the second part communication between SCS and PNFS provided wider coverage of axial pain. The overall success of the trials was 90%.

Conclusion: Simultaneous use of SCS and PNFS increase efficacy of both methods for axial back pain. The new SPN method showed great potential in providing coverage for back pain.