Neuromodulation : journal of the International Neuromodulation Society
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Objective. Spinal cord stimulator (SCS) parameter settings have been well studied; however, the goal of this exploratory study was to examine the SCS parameters used during intra-operative stimulation (IOS) at trial lead placement. Methods. In this retrospective study, we report the IOS parameter settings for 22 patients who underwent thoracic SCS lead trial for treatment of refractory low back and/or leg pain. Results. Paresthesia coverage was shown to differ depending upon the pain syndrome and the region involved (back and/or leg, p = 0.03). ⋯ Important variations in field configuration practice patterns also emerged. Conclusions. Larger prospective studies are required to confirm and extend the current results. The ultimate goal for this report is to establish a foundation for future studies to create an evidence-based standardized algorithm for IOS to enhance the success rate of SCS trial screening.
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Background. Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is effective in reducing pain from a number of differing medical conditions that are refractory to other, more conservative treatments. Much is written in the literature regarding efficacy and safety of SCS; however, no one to our knowledge has compared and reported safety and efficacy of SCS when using differing manufactured SCS devices. We undertook such a preliminary evaluation. ⋯ Conclusions. Spinal cord stimulation improves pain, sleep, and function in patients with intractable pain. Because of the low number of patients evaluable in this study, we believe that conclusions should not be made regarding the effect of technology on outcomes or safety. We believe that an analysis of this type in larger populations is warranted to understand the role, if any, that present-day technology has on outcomes of SCS.
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Electrical stimulation of the digestive organs may become a valuable alternative to pharmaceutical and surgical approaches to the treatment of gastrointestinal motor dysfunctions. For more than 40 years, encouraging results with electrical stimulation to activate motility in gastrointestinal organs have been published. ⋯ In addition, animal studies have investigated the different stimulation systems and methods to activate or inhibit transit in the small and large intestines. This article presents a review of the published literature on electrical stimulation of the stomach and intestines.
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Studies performed to date have shown that electrical stimulation of the stomach and intestines can create or modulate motility functions in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Therefore, electrical stimulation of GI organs may become a valuable alternative to medication and surgical approaches in the treatment of GI motor dysfunctions. ⋯ Presently, it is known that electrical stimulation of GI organs triggers complex reactions comprising excitatory and inhibitory responses of the excitable components performing or controlling motility in the GI tract. I present here a review of what is known of the mechanisms of GI organ stimulation.