Neuromodulation : journal of the International Neuromodulation Society
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Background. Since 1988, spinal cord stimulation (SCS) has been used at Odense University Hospital for patients with refractory angina pectoris. The aim of our prospective study was to evaluate the long-term effects of SCS on pain, activities of daily living (ADLs), quality of life (QOL), sleep hygiene, and physical functioning for patients with angina pectoris. Methods. Before and after placement of SCS for patients with intractable angina pectoris, we performed structured telephone interviews questioning for pain relief, ADLs (Nottingham Health Profile), physical functioning (Seattle Angina Questionnaire) and sleep hygiene. ⋯ About 30% of patients discontinued treatment, the most common cause being electrode displacement and malfunction of the system. Other reasons for discontinued therapy were the evolvement of invasive treatment options such as coronary artery bypass graft and PTCA and use of such options in some patients during our prolonged observation period. Conclusion. This survey shows that SCS leads to a 70-80% improvement in pain, which, in turn, leads to improvement in QOL, whereas, physical condition and sleep pattern did not improve to the same extent.
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Objective. We evaluated the efficacy of octreotide when administered in a continuous fashion by intrathecal infusion. Materials and Methods. We used a prospective, randomized, controlled, double-blinded method of analysis to evaluate the efficacy of intrathecal octreotide in a population of patients with noncancer pain diagnoses. The patients in this study had an unacceptable response to intrathecal opioids. ⋯ These patients had pain consistent with a neuropathic pain diagnosis. The patients had noncancer pain, which was not responsive to intrathecal morphine. The lack of side-effects suggests that the dose selected for the study should be increased for future analysis of this agent, and patients with neuropathic pain should be more closely examined.
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Objective. To use a meta-analysis on all reported cases of deep brain stimulation (DBS) for dystonia to determine which factors significantly influence outcome. The Burke-Fahn-Marsden (BFM) movement scale, the most reported measure, was chosen as the primary outcome measure for this analysis. Methods. A MEDLINE search identified 137 patients who underwent DBS for dystonia in 24 studies that had individual BFM scores. ⋯ Longer duration of dystonia symptoms correlated negatively with surgical outcome. A regression model using the three variables-stimulation site, etiology of dystonia, and duration of dystonia symptoms-explained 51% of the variance in outcomes. Conclusion. Deep brain stimulation of the GPi provides significant improvement in BFM scores in a variety of dystonic conditions.
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The administration of intrathecal drugs has been shown to be efficacious in the treatment of both cancer pain and noncancer pain in patients who do not respond well to conventional treatment, in those who are unable to tolerate side-effects of opioids, and in those who constantly require significant increases in drug dosing. Although morphine represents the "drug of choice" for intrathecal administration, the use of alternative drugs (e.g., bupivacaine, clonidine, and hydromorphone) appears promising for intrathecal therapy of pain in patients who are unresponsive to morphine, those who cannot tolerate its side-effects, and those patients with neuropathic pain. This study analyzes results of studies published from 1990 to 2005 in order to evaluate the efficacy of intraspinal therapy.
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Objective. To assess the orthotic effect of a functional electrical stimulation device (Akita Heel Sensor System; AHSS) in the treatment of hemiplegic gait with foot drop. Materials and Methods. In the AHSS, a heel sensor is attached to a small plastic heel brace, and the peroneal nerve is stimulated via percutaneous intramuscular electrodes. During the swing phase of the hemiplegic gait, the common peroneal nerve is stimulated by the AHSS. ⋯ Mean step cadence was 31 ± 7 steps/10 m without stimulation and 27 ± 7 steps/10 m with stimulation. By correcting foot drop, the AHSS significantly increased walking speed and decreased cadence (p < 0.05). Conclusion. The AHSS can significantly improve walking in hemiplegic patients with foot drop.