Spinal Cord Stimulation Versus Nerve Blocks and Physical Therapy

Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS) Versus Nerve Blocks and Physical Therapy for Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

The primary objective of this study is to compare the efficacy of SCS using the Precision implantable neurostimulation device and conventional medical treatment (nerve blocks + physical therapy) in subjects with recently-diagnosed Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) after some more conservative treatments have failed. There are significant numbers of patients with CRPS in whom conventional treatment is ineffective and SCS is used only as a last resort. If SCS is effective earlier in the treatment continuum, it would provide a much needed treatment alternative and increase awareness of the utility of SCS for this indication. It is also possible that early intervention with SCS may limit disease progression.

Study Overview

• Status: Withdrawn
• Conditions: Pain; Chronic Pain; Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
• Intervention / Treatment: Device: Precision SCS; Procedure: Nerve Blocks and PT

Detailed Description

Standard medical treatment for moderate/severe chronic pain of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) is usually inadequate. Sympathetic nerve blocks with local anesthetics are commonly employed and in some cases can be an effective option. Nerve blocks are not consistently effective, however, and their utility is further compromised by a short duration of relief.

CRPS is among the pain etiologies that can be managed via Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS); this option can be quite effective at providing long-term pain relief for the management of CRPS. Importantly, SCS is not usually attempted until other treatment options, including nerve blocks and ablative procedures, have failed to produce adequate pain relief. No studies have been performed to date comparing SCS to a series of nerve block injections plus physical therapy. In this context, it may be prudent to consider SCS earlier in the treatment continuum. Instead of obliging a CRPS patient to cycle through numerous rounds of injections, optimal clinical pain management may be attained through early implantation of an SCS system. This prospective clinical study will compare the relative efficacy of SCS with that of repeated nerve blocks and physical therapy in a group of subjects with moderate-to-severe CRPS pain.

Patients who have never had invasive treatments for CRPS pain will be randomized to either a series of sympathetic blocks plus physical therapy or SCS. Changes in pain, disability, and quality of life outcomes will be assessed at follow up visits as well as incidence and outcomes of subjects electing to cross over to the alternate treatment option. This study will generate insight into the best pain management strategies for CRPS.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Phase: Not Applicable

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 years and older (Adult, Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No
• Genders Eligible for Study: All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Be diagnosed with chronic CRPS with intractable neuropathic pain of moderate to severe intensity within the last 3-6 months.
• Have failed initial treatment for CRPS, such as physical therapy alone, oral medications, and/or steroids.
• Be 18 years of age or older.
• Be an appropriate candidate for the surgical procedures required for SCS.
• Be willing and able to comply with all study related procedures and visits.
• Be capable of reading and understanding patient information materials and giving written informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Have had any unsuccessful back or spine surgery that currently causes pain.
• Have had any treatment for CRPS other than physical therapy, oral medications, or steroids.
• Have any evidence of neurologic instability.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Crossover Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Active Comparator: Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS) Group; Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS) Treatment Group	Device: Precision SCS; Precision Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS) Therapy
Active Comparator: Nerve Blocks and PT	Procedure: Nerve Blocks and PT; Pain therapy utilizing Nerve Blocks with Physical Therapy

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Time Frame
The primary endpoint is reduction in baseline levels of pain;	12-weeks post SCS treatment compared to Nerve Blocks+PT

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Boston Scientific Corporation
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Thomas Simopoulos, MD, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start: December 1, 2006

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: December 20, 2006
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: December 20, 2006
• First Posted (Estimate): December 22, 2006

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Estimate): February 15, 2012
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: February 13, 2012
• Last Verified: February 1, 2012

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Pain; Neurostimulation
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Pathologic Processes; Nervous System Diseases; Pain; Neurologic Manifestations; Disease; Neuromuscular Diseases; Peripheral Nervous System Diseases; Autonomic Nervous System Diseases; Syndrome; Chronic Pain; Complex Regional Pain Syndromes; Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy
• Other Study ID Numbers: SCS0805