Prospective, double blinded, randomized, clinical study investigating the effects of high frequency PNS for the treatment of chronic back or back and leg pain.
All subjects will have two permanent stimulators placed over the proximal peripheral nerves at T9 at the implant visit. The stimulators can easily be removed for non-responders. High frequency stimulation is typically programmed below sensory threshold. This type of stimulation lends itself to a placebo-controlled trial. For this study subjects will be randomized 1:1 at enrollment into a high frequency or sham group. Neither the subjects nor experimenters will be made aware of their randomization assignment for at least the first month of the trial. Subjects belonging to both groups will be unblinded to their assignment at the 1-month or a later visit (including unscheduled visit) if they have a VAS \> 30 mms. Subjects belonging to the sham group will be reprogrammed with HF stimulation at this point. Subjects belonging to the HF stimulation group will keep stimulating with HF. Subjects reporting a VAS \< 30 mms will continue to be blinded.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
TRIPLE
Enrollment
38
A needle and catheter is carefully inserted near your spinal column. The stimulator is then placed through the catheter and directed towards the T9 proximal peripheral nerves. The proximal end of the stimulator is then sutured underneath the skin of your back to the fascia to prevent migration.
A needle and catheter is carefully inserted near your spinal column. The stimulator is then placed through the catheter and directed towards the T9 proximal peripheral nerves. The proximal end of the stimulator is then sutured underneath the skin of your back to the fascia to prevent migration.
GZA Sint-Augustinus
Wilrijk, Antwerpen, Belgium
AZ Delta
Roeselare, Belgium
Responder rate
a \> 50% reduction in back pain as measured by VAS with the Freedom PNS system in the HF (test) group as opposed to sham and conventional medical management
Time frame: 1 month post-implant
VAS back pain
Percentage change from baseline in VAS for back pain
Time frame: 1, 3, 6, 9, 12 and 36 months
VAS leg pain
Percentage change from baseline in VAS for leg pain
Time frame: 1, 3, 6, 9, 12 and 36 months
ODI
Change from baseline in functionality using the ODI score
Time frame: 1, 3, 6, 9, 12 and 36 months
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