Cross-Validation of the Foundation Pain Index with PROMIS-29 in Chronic Pain Patients.

Purpose: Discovery and validation of pragmatic biomarkers represent significant advancements in the field of pain management. Evaluating relationships between objective biomarkers and patient-reported outcomes (PROs) is an effective way to gain mechanistic insight into the potential role of biochemistry in chronic pain. The aim of this study was to validate the Foundation Pain Index (FPI) by evaluating associations between deranged biochemical function and PROMIS-29 domains in individuals living with chronic pain.

The Cost of Lost Productivity in an Opioid Utilizing Pain Sample.

Background And Aims: Chronic pain affects more adults in the United States than any other condition. Opioid medications are widely used in the treatment of chronic pain, but there remains considerable risk and cost associated with their use. This study aims to characterize the effects of opioid prescribing for chronic pain and similar pain conditions on lost productivity in the United States.

A paramedian approach for dorsal root ganglion stimulation placement developed to limit lead migration and fracture.

Introduction: Dorsal root ganglion stimulation (DRG-S), has demonstrated superiority in the treatment of complex regional pain syndrome and causalgia. Lead migration and fracture impact DRG-S therapeutic stability. Lead anchoring reduces DRG-S lead migration without increasing lead fracture.

The American Society of Pain and Neuroscience (ASPN) Best Practices and Guidelines for the Interventional Management of Cancer-Associated Pain.

Moderate to severe pain occurs in many cancer patients during their clinical course and may stem from the primary pathology, metastasis, or as treatment side effects. Uncontrolled pain using conservative medical therapy can often lead to patient distress, loss of productivity, shorter life expectancy, longer hospital stays, and increase in healthcare utilization. Various publications shed light on strategies for conservative medical management for cancer pain and a few international publications have reviewed limited interventional data.

A Retrospective, Single-Center, Quantitative Analysis of Adverse Events in Patients Undergoing Spinal Stenosis with Neurogenic Claudication Using a Novel Percutaneous Direct Lumbar Decompression Strategy.

Introduction: Low-back pain with accompanying neurogenic claudication is a common diagnosis in pain and spine centers around the world, with an evolving algorithm of treatment. One option for the treatment of neurogenic claudication by decompressive strategies centers on percutaneous direct decompressive techniques. Although commonly employed in clinical practice, there have been no formal investigations looking at safety of percutaneous direct decompression without the use of an epidurogram and relying on osteal landmarks.

The American Society of Pain and Neuroscience (ASPN) Practical Guidelines to Study Design and Scientific Manuscript Preparation in Neuromodulation.

Background: Healthcare clinical and even policy decisions are progressively made based on research-based evidence. The process by which the appropriate trials are developed and well-written manuscripts by means of evidence-based medicine recommendations has resulted in unprecedented necessity in evidence-based medicine in neuromodulation.

Methods: The essential considerations in the planning of neuromodulation research are discussed in the light of available scientific literature as well as the authors' scientific expertise regarding research study design and scientific manuscript preparation.

Peripherally Induced Reconditioning of the Central Nervous System: A Proposed Mechanistic Theory for Sustained Relief of Chronic Pain with Percutaneous Peripheral Nerve Stimulation.

Peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) is an effective tool for the treatment of chronic pain, although its efficacy and utilization have previously been significantly limited by technology. In recent years, purpose-built percutaneous PNS devices have been developed to overcome the limitations of conventional permanently implanted neurostimulation devices. Recent clinical evidence suggests clinically significant and sustained reductions in pain can persist well beyond the PNS treatment period, outcomes that have not previously been observed with conventional permanently implanted neurostimulation devices.

Recommendations and Guidance for Steroid Injection Therapy and COVID-19 Vaccine Administration from the American Society of Pain and Neuroscience (ASPN).

To date, COVID-19 has spread to more than 108 million people globally, with a death toll surpassing 2 1/2 million. With the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of two highly effective COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer-BioNtech and Moderna, we now have a novel approach to contain COVID-19 related morbidity and mortality. Chronic pain care has faced unprecedented challenges for patients and providers in this ever-changing climate.

A Retrospective, Multicenter, Quantitative Analysis of Patients' Baseline Pain Quality (PROMIS-29) Entering into Pain and Spine Practices in the United States (ALIGN).

Introduction: Multidisciplinary patient-reported outcomes are a critical part of assessing patients to better understand their well-being during treatment. The use of multidisciplinary patient-reported outcomes is recommended in many areas of medicine. The Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System-29 (PROMIS-29) has been utilized as a common measurement language across universally relevant domains, including pain, mood, sleep, social participation, and function.

Effect of Patient Characteristics on Clinical Outcomes More Than 12 Months Following Dorsal Root Ganglion Stimulation Implantation: A Retrospective Review.

Introduction: Dorsal root ganglion (DRG) stimulation is an effective treatment option for lower extremity complex regional pain syndrome and other focal pain conditions. However, the patient characteristics that may predict long-term outcomes have not been defined.

Materials And Methods: This was a retrospective observational study that included 93 patients who were implanted with a DRG stimulator at a single private practice institution.

An Observational Study of Intraoperative Neuromonitoring as a Safety Mechanism in Placement of Percutaneous Dorsal Root Ganglion Stimulation and Spinal Cord Stimulation Systems.

Introduction: Percutaneous neurostimulator device placement, specifically dorsal root ganglion (DRG) stimulation and spinal cord stimulation (SCS), involves the placement of thin wires within the spinal canal at specific locations, the DRG or dorsal column of the spinal cord, respectively, to provide an electrical current that modifies the pain signal as it enters the central nervous system from the periphery. Placement of neurostimulator devices is generally safe overall, but not without risk of major and minor complications. In this study, we assess the use of intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM) as a tool to improve the safety of placing neurostimulator devices and subsequently minimizing postoperative complications.

A Comprehensive Practice Guideline for Magnetic Resonance Imaging Compatibility in Implanted Neuromodulation Devices.

Objectives: The evolution of neuromodulation devices in order to enter magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners has been one of understanding limitations, engineering modifications, and the development of a consensus within the community in which the FDA could safely administer labeling for the devices. In the initial decades of neuromodulation, it has been contraindicated for MRI use with implanted devices. In this review, we take a comprehensive approach to address all the major products currently on the market in order to provide physicians with the ability to determine when an MRI can be performed for each type of device implant.

A Systematic Literature Review of Peripheral Nerve Stimulation Therapies for the Treatment of Pain.

Objective: To conduct a systematic literature review of peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) for pain.

Design: Grade the evidence for PNS.

Methods: An international interdisciplinary work group conducted a literature search for PNS.

Effect of Patient Characteristics on Reported Outcomes Over 12 Months Following Lumbar Radiofrequency Ablation: A Retrospective Review of 500 Patients.

Background: Low back pain is the leading cause of years lost to disability worldwide. Approximately 15% to 45% of chronic low back pain is due to facet joint arthropathy. Currently, no large-scale retrospective studies have investigated long-term clinical predictors of success in individuals receiving radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of the medial branches for facet joint arthropathy.

Effectiveness and Safety of Intrathecal Ziconotide: Final Results of the Patient Registry of Intrathecal Ziconotide Management (PRIZM).

Background And Objectives: The Patient Registry of Intrathecal Ziconotide Management evaluated the long-term effectiveness and safety of intrathecal ziconotide.

Methods: The study was a prospective, multicenter observational study of intrathecal ziconotide in US clinical practice. Patients were adults with severe chronic pain that warranted intrathecal therapy.

Emergence From the COVID-19 Pandemic and the Care of Chronic Pain: Guidance for the Interventionalist.

Background: The current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic led to a significant disruption in the care of pain from chronic and subacute conditions. The impact of this cessation of pain treatment may have unintended consequences of increased pain, reduced function, increased reliance on opioid medications, and potential increased morbidity, due to the systemic impact of untreated disease burden. This may include decreased mobility, reduction in overall health status, and increase of opioid use with the associated risks.

Device profile of the Proclaim XR neurostimulation system for the treatment of chronic pain: an overview of its safety and efficacy.

Introduction: Spinal cord stimulation is becoming an increasingly used modality for the treatment of chronic pain. The Proclaim XR implantable pulse generator (IPG) is a novel device designed to supply low-dose BurstDR stimulation in a primary cell battery guaranteed to last 5-10 years with appropriate programming.

Areas Covered: BurstDR stimulation involves specifically delivered pockets of electrical energy coupled with a passive recharge mechanism to mimic the body's natural neuronal activity.