title: Percutaneous nerve stimulation in chronic neuropathic pain patients due to spinal cord injury: a pilot study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The long-term prognosis for neuropathic pain resolution following spinal cord injury (SCI) is often poor. In many SCI patients, neuropathic pain continues or even worsens over time. Thus, new treatment approaches are needed. We conducted a pilot study to evaluate the feasibility and effect of percutaneous (electrical) nerve stimulation (P(E)NS) in SCI patients with chronic neuropathic pain.
  
  
  METHODS
  In 18 weeks, 12 P(E)NS treatments were scheduled. Assessment with questionnaires was performed at baseline (T0), after 8 weeks (T8), 18 weeks (T18), and 12 weeks post-treatment (T30).
  
  
  RESULTS
  From 26 screened patients, 17 were included. In total, 91.2% questionnaires were returned, 2 patients dropped out, and 4.2% of the patients reported minor side effects. Pain scores on the week pain diary measured with the numerical rating scale improved significantly at T8, from 6.5 at baseline to 5.4, and were still significantly improved at T18. Pain reduction of ≥ 30% directly after a session was reported in 64.6% sessions. In total, 6 patients experienced reduction in size of the pain areas at T18 and T30, with a mean reduction of 45.8% at T18 and 45.3% at T30.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  P(E)NS is feasible as an intervention in SCI patients and might have a positive effect on pain reduction in a part of this patient group.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Neuropathic Pain, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Amsterdam Rehabilitation Research Institute Reade, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: David Jos
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Kopsky
authors.forename: Frank Willem Leo
authors.initials: FW
authors.lastname: Ettema
authors.forename: Marike
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: van der Leeden
authors.forename: Joost
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dekker
authors.forename: Janneke Marjan
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Stolwijk-Swüste
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D059350:Chronic Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009437:Neuralgia / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010865:Pilot Projects; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000150:complications*; D004561:Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: chronic; neuromodulation; neuropathic pain; percutaneous electrical nerve stimulation; size of pain areas; spinal cord injury