Article

This case report describes the first stroke survivor with chronic poststroke
shoulder pain treated with electrical stimulation delivered via a fully implanted
microstimulator containing a rechargeable internal battery.
In light of existing
efficacy data for similar types of treatment, the investigational system
described in this report was developed to address the limitations of previously
evaluated electrical stimulation devices. A 58-yr-old male stroke survivor with
chronic hemiparesis and chronic shoulder pain received up to 6 hrs of stimulation
daily over 12 wks. The microstimulator was implanted percutaneously near the
axillary nerve at the quadrilateral space, under local anesthesia during an
outpatient procedure. The implantation procedure was well tolerated. There were
no adverse events related to the implantation procedure or treatment (implanted
peripheral nerve stimulation). Outcomes were obtained before treatment, after 12
wks of treatment, and at 3-mo follow-up. Question no. 12 of the Brief Pain
Inventory was used as the primary outcome measure to evaluate response to
treatment. Shoulder pain decreased from 8/10 before treatment to 4/10 after
treatment and decreased further to 3/10 at 3-mo follow-up. Passive range of
motion and motor function also improved after treatment. Sensation, shoulder
subluxation, activities, and quality-of-life did not change. The feasibility,
safety, and efficacy of implanted peripheral nerve stimulation to treat
poststroke shoulder pain should be evaluated further in clinical trials already
underway.

Langue : ANGLAIS