Peripheral Nerve Stimulation Most Preferred Option Versus Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) or Permanently Implanted Stimulation
Cleveland, Ohio- September 22, 2021- Publication of a first of its kind patient preference survey comparing widely available low-back pain treatment options indicated that temporary percutaneous peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) was the most preferred option when compared to radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and permanent implants. The study, published in Pain Management, summarized responses from 476 patients across two separate surveys. The results point to a clear choice by patients to utilize temporary versus permanently implanted treatment options whenever possible with 87 percent of patients either averse to a permanent implant or, at minimum, preferring a temporary treatment option first before considering a permanent implant.
“Within this extensive patient survey, permanent implantation of pain therapies ranked significantly lower than percutaneous treatment options,” said Dr. Amit Gulati, senior author of the study and President of World Academy of Pain Medicine United. “Patients generally want to start with effective, non-permanent treatment options first. The benefit of this approach is that it still allows for, and may actually inform, the potential of advancing to permanent implants when medically indicated.”
The study included two surveys that described common treatments and asked patients to select their most desired treatment option. Additional details about potential known risks of each treatment were then presented to help them make a final choice.
- Temporary PNS was the most preferred treatment by a statistically significant margin in both surveys given its potential to deliver long-term pain relief following a short-term treatment.
- Preference for temporary PNS treatment always ranked as the first or second preferred option in both surveys, with permanent implants trailing in both cases and RFA ranking lower following the presentation of risk information to participants.
- Of those that selected RFA as their initial choice, 40 percent abandoned RFA in favor of temporary PNS after learning of core muscle (multifidus) denervation following RFA treatment.
“In addition to the patient preference findings, it is clear in this survey that how options are presented to patients matters a great deal. The communication of potential risks to patients made a meaningful difference in patient preference and should serve as a reminder to all physicians that sharing health care information in a complete, unbiased manner should be a priority,” said Dr. Michael Erdek, Faculty at the Johns Hopkins Berman Institute of Bioethics, JHU School of Medicine Division of Pain Medicine, and co-author.
About the SPRINT® PNS System
The SPRINT® PNS System, by SPR® Therapeutics, marks an innovative shift in the treatment of pain. Our breakthrough, restorative, 60-day treatment is a First-Line™ PNS option uniquely designed to recondition the central nervous system to provide significant and sustained relief from chronic pain — without a permanent implant, nerve destruction or the risk of addiction. The system has been studied extensively for low back pain, shoulder pain, post-amputation pain, and chronic and acute post-operative pain, and is cleared for use up to 60 days. Recognized by leading pain management centers, the breakthrough neuromodulation treatment offers a patient-preferred alternative to more invasive options.
For additional information regarding safety and efficacy, visit www.SprintPNS.com.
About SPR Therapeutics, Inc.
SPR Therapeutics is a privately-held medical device company, providing patients with a non-opioid, minimally invasive pain treatment option. Our SPRINT® PNS System fulfills a critical unmet need for a drug-free, surgery-free option for millions who suffer from chronic pain. Backed by the largest body of clinical evidence, SPR has demonstrated commercial demand in untapped peripheral (shoulder and knee) and back pain markets and built an incredibly strong foundation for commercial growth. Headquartered in Cleveland, OH with satellite offices in Chapel Hill, NC and Minneapolis, MN, SPR’s Senior Management team includes experienced industry veterans with nearly 200 years of collective pain market and MedTech expertise, all driven by our purpose – to improve the quality of patients’ lives by providing them with a minimally-invasive, drug-free, surgery-free solution to manage their acute and chronic pain.
More information can be found at www.SPRTherapeutics.com.
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SPR Contacts:
Dave Folkens
Public Relations Contact
dfolkens@sprtherapeutics.com
Mark Stultz
Senior Vice President Market Development
mstultz@sprtherapeutics.com
SPRINT PNS System for Chronic Back Pain Relief
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