Magnetic Peripheral Nerve Stimulation (mPNS) for Chronic Pain

Abstract

Purpose

To assess magnetic peripheral nerve stimulation (mPNS) for the treatment of chronic or chronic and intractable neuropathic pain with a retrospective review case series.

Patients and methods

Twenty-four patients with predominantly neuropathic post-traumatic or postoperative pain were treated as per protocol and followed for 3 months.

Results

Data were analyzed as an observational, one-armed, convenience sample. Graphical evidence backed up by a mixed model for repeated measures statistical analysis showed a highly significant reduction of pain at one month out from initial treatment with mPNS. At one month, there was a 3.8 average reduction in pre-pain scores using a visual analogue scale (VAS), and that relief was generally durable measured out to three months. Two-thirds of patients, deemed responders, showed an 87% reduction in pain. Opioid reduction was seen in 58.3% of responders as well.

Conclusion

mPNS appears promising for the treatment of chronic or chronic and intractable neuropathic pain for many of the same indications as traditional electrical peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS). No invasive techniques or implants are needed for mPNS.

Keywords:

• neuropathic pain
• noninvasive
• cost effective
• pain relief
• neuropathy

Acknowledgments

Joe Milkovits COO, CTO, NeuraLace Medical for technical support in the production of this manuscript. Peter B. Rosenquist MD. Professor and Executive Vice Chair of the Dept. of Psychiatry and Health Behavior at Augusta University, Director of Therapeutic Neurostimulation. Many thanks for his thorough review of manuscript drafts and suggested revisions.

Disclosure

The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.

Additional information

Funding

No funding was received for this study or the publication of this article.