Predictors of Success for 60-Day Peripheral Nerve Stimulation Used for Treatment of Chronic Shoulder Pain: A Multicenter Retrospective Chart Review.

OBJECTIVE

Refractory pain of the shoulder hinders independence and decreases quality of life. Sixty-day peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) treatment has shown the ability to provide substantial and sustained relief in patients with chronic shoulder pain. The present study aims to identify key patient and treatment characteristics that may be utilized by physicians to optimize patient outcomes.

DESIGN

An institutional review board-approved retrospective chart review evaluated patients who previously underwent 60-day PNS treatment for their chronic shoulder pain. Patient and treatment characteristics were extracted from electronic medical records and analyzed alongside patient-reported outcomes provided at the end of treatment.

RESULTS

Overall, 221 patients were included in the study. Of patients with available outcomes, 75% (n = 132/176) reported substantial (i.e., ≥50%) pain relief at end of treatment. PNS treatment effectiveness was consistent when stratified by several factors, including the chronicity of pain, patient age, and the cause of pain. Regression analyses identified characteristics associated with successful outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

The study highlights the effectiveness of 60-day peripheral nerve stimulation treatment across a variety of shoulder pain types and medical histories. These findings complement previous studies and real-world evidence supporting PNS in the management of chronic shoulder pain and provide insights that may inform patient selection and optimization of 60-day PNS treatment.