Spinal cord stimulation: Subjective pain intensity and presurgical correlates in chronic pain patients

Abstract

Objectives This study determined the changes in pain intensity prior to and after permanent placement of spinal cord stimulation (SCS), as measured by the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and, examined associations of presurgical characteristics to both pre- and post-SCS VAS scores. Materials and methods Demographic, disease, and psychological data were extracted from the medical charts of chronic pain patients ( N = 58) being treated at a Hospital in IL, USA. Most patients were diagnosed with complex regional pain syndrome (51.9%) and low back pain (33.3%). The majority were White (72.5%), male (60%), married (72%), and temporary disabled or receiving worker’s compensation (40%). Study objectives were tested with correlational and univariate analysis. Results A significant reduction between pre ( M = 6.87; SD = 1.38) and Post-( M = 4.11; SD = 1.54) SCS pain intensity scores was observed ( p < .000). Pre-SCS pain intensity scores were associated with medical diagnosis ( p < .01), marital status ( p < .05), and catastrophizing ( p < .05). Post-SCS pain intensity scores were associated with body mass index ( p < .05), medical diagnosis ( p < .05), employment status ( p < .05), bodily concern ( p < .05), marital status ( p < .05), and race ( p < .05). Conclusions Results strengthen support for the short-term effectiveness of SCS and demonstrate the differential associations of presurgical factors on pain intensity.