Spinal cord stimulation eases pain and improves sensation in people with diabetic nerve damage
A multicenter randomized clinical trial led by researchers from the Pain Outcomes Lab at Wake Forest University School of Medicine found that high-frequency spinal cord stimulation significantly reduced pain and improved sensory function in people with treatment-resistant painful diabetic neuropathy. Researchers also observed early evidence of increased density of small nerve fibers in the skin,…
A large clinical trial found that high-frequency spinal cord stimulation significantly reduced chronic pain and improved sensation in adults with treatment-resistant painful diabetic neuropathy. The 10-kHz stimulation, which sends mild electrical pulses to alter pain signal transmission without causing tingling, showed early promise in increasing small nerve fiber density in the skin.
In the trial, 79.4% of participants receiving temporary stimulation experienced at least a 50% decrease in lower-limb pain, compared to just 4% receiving conventional medical care. Among those who completed six months of follow-up with a permanent implant, 93.1% achieved the same pain reduction. The treatment also led to notable improvements in the ability to detect touch, temperature, vibration, and body position, as well as better sleep and quality of life.
While nerve-fiber density increased by an average of 56% in the lower calf among stimulation recipients, more research is needed to determine the clinical significance and durability of these changes. Importantly, the study also highlighted that people with severe, unresponsive neuropathy may benefit more from this approach, suggesting that future trials should explore its potential for milder cases.
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