Ten kHz spinal cord stimulation treatment for painful diabetic neuropathy: results from post-hoc analysis of SENZA-PPN study

Aim:Previous studies of 10 kHz spinal cord stimulation demonstrated its safety and efficacy for treatment of neuropathic pain of the trunk and/or limbs. This study analyzed data from a subset of subjects with painful diabetic neuropathy enrolled in a prospective, multicenter study of peripheral polyneuropathy with various etiologies.Materials & methods:Of the eight subjects that had permanent devices, seven attended the 12-month follow-up assessment.Results & conclusion:At 12 months, 6/7 subjects were treatment responders (>= 50% pain relief) and had pain remission (visual analog scale <= 3.0 cm). Worsening of neurologic deficits was not reported in any subject. Instead, 5/7 subjects showed improvements in sensory testing and/or reflexes. These results support further investigation of 10 kHz spinal cord stimulation as a safe and effective treatment for intractable painful diabetic neuropathy.