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Tieppo Francio V, Alm J, Leavitt L, Mok D, Yoon BV, Nazir N, Lam C, Latif U, Sowder T, Braun E, Sack A, Khan T, Sayed D. Variables associated with nonresponders to high-frequency (10 kHz) spinal cord stimulation. Pain Pract 2024; 24:584-599. [PMID: 38078593 DOI: 10.1111/papr.13328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/09/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The use of spinal cord stimulation (SCS) therapy to treat chronic pain continues to rise. Optimal patient selection remains one of the most important factors for SCS success. However, despite increased utilization and the existence of general indications, predicting which patients will benefit from neuromodulation remains one of the main challenges for this therapy. Therefore, this study aims to identify the variables that may correlate with nonresponders to high-frequency (10 kHz) SCS to distinguish the subset of patients less likely to benefit from this intervention. MATERIALS AND METHODS This was a retrospective single-center observational study of patients who underwent 10 kHz SCS implant. Patients were divided into nonresponders and responders groups. Demographic data and clinical outcomes were collected at baseline and statistical analysis was performed for all continuous and categorical variables between the two groups to calculate statistically significant differences. RESULTS The study population comprised of 237 patients, of which 67.51% were responders and 32.49% were nonresponders. There was a statistically significant difference of high levels of kinesiophobia, high self-perceived disability, greater pain intensity, and clinically relevant pain catastrophizing at baseline in the nonresponders compared to the responders. A few variables deemed potentially relevant, such as age, gender, history of spinal surgery, diabetes, alcohol use, tobacco use, psychiatric illness, and opioid utilization at baseline were not statistically significant. CONCLUSION Our study is the first in the neuromodulation literature to raise awareness to the association of high levels of kinesiophobia preoperatively in nonresponders to 10 kHz SCS therapy. We also found statistically significant differences with greater pain intensity, higher self-perceived disability, and clinically relevant pain catastrophizing at baseline in the nonresponders relative to responders. It may be appropriate to screen for these factors preoperatively to identify patients who are less likely to respond to SCS. If these modifiable risk factors are present, it might be prudent to consider a pre-rehabilitation program with pain neuroscience education to address these factors prior to SCS therapy, to enhance successful outcomes in neuromodulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vinicius Tieppo Francio
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, The University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, The University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
| | - John Alm
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, The University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
| | - Logan Leavitt
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, The University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
| | - Daniel Mok
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, The University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
| | - B Victor Yoon
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, The University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
| | - Niaman Nazir
- Department of Population Health, The University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
| | - Christopher Lam
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, The University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
| | - Usman Latif
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, The University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
| | - Timothy Sowder
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, The University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
| | - Edward Braun
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, The University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
| | - Andrew Sack
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, The University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
| | - Talal Khan
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, The University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
| | - Dawood Sayed
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, The University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
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