Open AccessUsing Peripheral Stimulation to Reduce the Pain of C2-Mediated Occipital Headaches: A Preliminary Report
Author(s) -
Melvin Ea,
Jordan Fr,
Weiner Rl,
D Primm
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
pain physician
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.31
H-Index - 99
eISSN - 2150-1149
pISSN - 1533-3159
DOI - 10.36076/ppj.2007/10/453
Subject(s) - medicine , headaches , visual analogue scale , anesthesia , mcgill pain questionnaire , occipital nerve stimulation , adverse effect , physical therapy , surgery , alternative medicine , pathology
Background: Peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) is an accepted treatment for neuropathic pain. Recent studies have focused on its potential for relieving headache pain.Objectives: To investigate the effectiveness of PNS in reducing occipital headachepain.Design: A prospective, 12-week pilot study involving 11 patients evaluated before andafter implantation of PNS systems to treat C2-mediated occipital headaches.Methods: Prior to and at 4 and 12 weeks after implantation, patients completed theShort-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire (SF-MPQ), Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and PresentPain Index (PPI). Patients also answered questionnaires and kept diaries to record stimulator use, medication consumption, and numbers of headaches.Results: A comparison of pre- and post-implantation evaluations showed statisticallysignificant declines in scores on the SF-MPQ (64%; p = 0.0013), VAS (67%; p < 0.0001),and PPI (68%; p = 0.0009). Most patients (91% and 64% respectively) reported reductions in medication use and numbers of headaches. Patients also reported a reduction inheadache symptoms and the impact of headaches on activities. Two adverse events wereencountered, one due to a loose connection and, the other caused by lead migration.Conclusions: PNS reduced headache pain, headache frequency and medication use.Key words: peripheral nerve stimulation, PNS, peripheral nerve, occipital headache,headache pain