Burst Spinal Cord Stimulation for Neuropathic Pain

SCS is a treatment offered to patients with peripheral neuropathic pain, and involves electrical stimulation of the spinal cord. The analgesic effect is possibly mediated via both spinal and supra‐spinal mechanisms. Traditional "tonic" SCS causes paresthesia during treatment, but the newer burst technique (five electrical pulses at 500Hz delivered in intermittent packets of 40 Hz) can be performed below detection level. Thus, it is possible to do double‐blinded sham‐controlled studies. In this study, we will study the effect of burst SCS compared with sham on pain intensity and function (Patient‐Specific Functional Scale). In addition, we will use several questionnaires (psychometric data, health‐related quality of life, sleep, global impression of change, use of analgesics, blinding).