Sustained benefits using spinal cord stimulation for the treatment of painful diabetic neuropathy

Erika Petersen, MD, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, discusses the 6-month follow-up results from a multicenter randomized controlled trial (NCT03228420) of 10kHz spinal cord stimulation for the treatment of painful diabetic neuropathy. The trial enrolled over 200 patients to receive conventional medical management (CMM) alone, or in combination with high-frequency spinal cord stimulation from a small, implanted device in the lower thoracic spinal region. 6-month results showed the pain improvements seen at the primary 3-month endpoint were maintained. 86% of patients in the stimulation arm had ≥50% reduction in baseline pain, compared to only 5% in the CMM alone arm. Response durability will continue to be assessed to 24 months. This interview took place during the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) 2021 Annual Meeting.