Preliminary findings from a study to be presented at the American Academy of Neurology’s 75th Annual Meeting suggests that high-frequency spinal cord stimulation may provide relief for people suffering from painful diabetic neuropathy.
About 25% of the 37 million Americans with diabetes have painful diabetic neuropathy, which can often result in depression, anxiety, and impaired sleep.
The Study
The study involved 216 people who had experienced painful diabetic neuropathy symptoms for at least a year without responding to medications.
Half of the participants received spinal cord stimulation in addition to regular medical treatment for six months, while the other half only received regular medical treatment.
After six months, participants were given the option to switch to the other treatment.
Spinal cord stimulation involves a device that is implanted under the skin. This device delivers electrical stimulation to the spinal cord to block pain signals to the brain.
The Results
After six months, those who received spinal cord stimulation reported a 76% decrease in their average pain amount, while those who did not receive stimulation reported a 2% increase in their average pain amount.
In terms of motor function, sensation, and reflexes, improvements were seen in 62% of those receiving stimulation compared to only 3% of those receiving medication only.
Following the initial six months, 93% of those only receiving medication and eligible to switch chose to receive stimulation, while none of those receiving stimulation wished to switch to medication only.
After two years, participants reported an 80% improvement in their average pain amount, and 66% continued to show improvements in motor function, sensation, and reflexes.
Safety and Potential Side Effects
Eight participants experienced infections related to the device, with three clearing up and five (3% of total participants) having to have their devices removed due to infection.
This is within the expected range for people receiving spinal cord stimulation for other conditions.
Notably, high-frequency stimulation appeared to provide greater pain relief than low-frequency stimulation and did not produce the “pins and needles” sensation often associated with low-frequency stimulation.
Conclusion
“This study demonstrates that high-frequency stimulation provides long-term pain relief with acceptable safety,” said study author Erika Petersen, MD, of the University of Arkansas in Little Rock.
“The improvements in motor function, sensation and reflexes suggest that this therapy could have disease-modifying potential.”
However, Petersen acknowledges that further research is needed, stating, “Confirmation of results through studies in larger groups of people could further strengthen our understanding of this spinal cord stimulation therapy for the treatment of painful diabetic neuropathy.”
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