Dorsal Root Ganglion Stimulation Is Paresthesia-Independent: A Retrospective Study

The Neuromodulation Appropriateness Consensus Committee on Best Practices for Dorsal Root Ganglion Stimulation

“…In the ACCURATE study , the median programmed frequency was 20 Hz, with a median pulse width (MPW) of 300 μs at end points (Table ). The MPW was reduced to 255 μs at one year, consistent with a trend towards a reduced need for paresthesia seen in other studies . The median amplitude had a range of 575 μA to 687.5 μA.…”

Supraspinal Effects of Dorsal Root Ganglion Stimulation in Chronic Pain Patients

“…While it is possible for DRGS to be programmed with subparesthetic stimulation paradigms, paraesthesias in the distribution of the targeted dermatome are still commonly observed during DRGS (40). These sensations are also likely produced independent of the neuromodulatory effect on pain relief (41). We postulate that this divergent activity in the pain‐free state may represent the percept of paraesthesia due to DRGS in the absence of pain‐related cortical signatures among these control participants.…”

Paresthesia-Free Spinal Nerve Root Stimulation for the Treatment of Chronic Neuropathic Pain

“…This further supports the hypothesis that paresthesias are not necessary for analgesia. Subsequent studies have supported the efficacy of paresthesia‐free DRG stimulation, with pain relief similar to patients reporting paresthesias (21).…”

“…Previous studies have demonstrated the efficacy of paresthesiafree stimulation in patients with dorsal column SCS (8,9,19) and DRG stimulation (20,21). To date, the efficacy of paresthesia-free stimulation in SNRS has not been evaluated in a real-world setting with long-term outcomes.…”