The primary purpose of this study is to determine the differences in response to treatment of complex regional pain syndrome with a closed-loop spinal cord stimulator if applied in the early phases (acute or subacute) versus the chronic phase.
After being informed about the study and the potential risks, all patients given written informed consent will be organized into group 1 (acute or subacute) and group 2 (chronic). They will undergo a trial period with a temporary spinal cord stimulator for 7 days. After the trial period, if the provider determines the device improved the patient's pain and function, the permanent device will be implanted. The patient will fill out an outcomes packet at baseline, end of trial period, 3 months and 6 months. There will also be a blood draw to evaluate prolactin levels, which are associated with stress and pain, at baseline, end of trial period, and 3 months.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
32
The closed-loop spinal cord stimulation mechanism uses dynamic adjusting stimulation parameters based on real-time physiologic response and is uniquely positioned to mitigate the aberrant inflammatory and neurosensory processing and autonomic dysfunction driving CRPS and its progression between phases.
Scripps Clinic Torrey Pines
La Jolla, California, United States
RECRUITINGChange in Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Severity Scores
(CRPS SS) This will be determined at baseline by the provider based on his diagnosis of the patient's condition, being acute and subacute or chronic. This is based on the presence or absence of 16 clinically-assessed signs and symptoms, and complements the diagnostic criteria for CRPS. A higher score indicates greater severity of the condition. This will be followed up at the 7 day trial period, 3 months and 6 months post procedure by evaluation.
Time frame: Baseline, 7 day trial period, 3 months, 6 months
Change in Target Activation Amplitude Levels by the Spinal Cord Stimulation Device
Spinal cord stimulation device parameters will be collected to determine if a lower voltage is required to treat acute phase of complex regional pain syndrome as compared to later phases. This will be conducted at follow up visits and analyzed by the medical device representative. The data will be pulled and analyzed to determine the activation point for each patient. This will be captured at the 7 day trial period, 3 months, and 6 months.
Time frame: 7 day trial period, 3 months, and 6 months.
Change in Prolactin Levels
We plan to include a physiological marker of pain response by assessing serum prolactin levels, which are linked to dopamine levels in the brain. We will use prolactin as a convenient marker of abnormal dopamine levels due to chronic pain and the response to spinal cord stimulation treatment as an objective quantifiable metric of success with treatment. We will collect this via blood draw at our lab at baseline, at the 7 day trial period, and 3 months.
Time frame: Baseline, 7 day trial period, and 3 months
Visual Analogue Pain Scale
(VAS) This will be used to determine the pain intensity the patient is experiencing. It will be on a scale from 0-10, 0 being no pain and 10 being the worst pain.
Time frame: Baseline, 7 day trial period, 3 months, and 6 months
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Quality of Life Questionnaire
(EQ-5D-5L) Used to capture quality of life across 5 domains: mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain/discomfort, and anxiety/depression. A lower score would indicate a severe score and the patient has a low quality of life. The patient also rates how good or bad their health is on a scale of 0-100, 100 being the best health and 0 being the worst health they could imagine.
Time frame: Baseline, 7 day trial period, 3 months, and 6 months
Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System-29 v 2.1
(PROMIS-29v2.1) Used to assess pain intensity using a single 0-10 numeric rating item and seven health domains: physical function, fatigue, pain interference, depressive symptoms, anxiety, ability to participate in social roles and activities, and sleep disturbance.
Time frame: Baseline, 7 day trial period, 3 months, and 6 months
General Anxiety Disorder-7
(GAD-7) Used for the screening and severity measuring of generalized anxiety disorder. It consists of seven items the patients rate based on their experiences over the past two weeks. Each item is scored from 0 (none) to 3 (every day). The cumulative score, ranging from 0-21, indicates the severity of GAD symptoms, with higher scores corresponding to greater anxiety levels.
Time frame: Baseline, 7 day trial period, 3 months and 6 months.
Patient Health Questionnaire-9
(PHQ-9) Used for screening and measuring the severity of depression. A higher score would indicate the patient has a worse outcome.
Time frame: Baseline, 7 day trial period, 3 months, 6 months
Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire-2
(SF-MPQ-2) Used to rate the intensity of each type of pain and related symptoms. A higher score means the patient has a worse outcome. They rate their pain and symptoms on a scale of 0-10, with a 0 being no pain and 10 being the worst pain.
Time frame: Baseline, 7 day trial period, 3 months, 6 months
Pain Catastrophizing Scale
(PCS) Used to assess catastrophic thinking related to pain among adults with or without chronic pain. A higher score would mean the patient has a worse outcome.
Time frame: Baseline, 7 day trial period, 3 months, 6 months
Patient Global Impression of Change
(PGIC) Used to measure the patient's belief about the effectiveness of the treatment. A higher score would reflect the patient believes the treatment is not effective and they have been doing much worse.
Time frame: 7 day trial period, 3 months and 6 months
Amount of Pain Medication Consumed by Patient
Used to track amount of pain medication taken by the patient on a daily basis or what they are taking and when they are taking it.
Time frame: Baseline, 7 day trial period, 3 months and 6 months