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Pain and Spine Medicine

Session: Peripheral Nerve Stimulator (PNS) Devices are Associated with Improved Mean Pain Scores for Patients with Low Back Pain

Peripheral Nerve Stimulator (PNS) Devices Are Associated with Improved Mean Pain Scores for Patients with Low Back Pain

Friday, October 24, 2025
12:00 PM - 1:30 PM MT
Location: Original Research Theater

    Primary Author(s)

  • Joseph A. Ierulli, DO

    Resident Physician
    Emory University School of Medicine PM&R Program
    Atlanta, Georgia

    • Poster Presenter(s)

  • NH

    Nicholas Hooper, MD

    Resident Physican
    Emory University School of Medicine PM&R Program
    Atlanta, Georgia

    • Co-Author(s)

  • DD

    Derick Davis, MD

    Fellow
    Emory University School of Medicine PM&R Program
    Atlanta, Georgia

  • ES

    Erik Shaw, DO

    Pain and Spine institute Medical Director
    Shepherd Center
    Atlanta, Georgia

  • DB

    David W. Boorman, Other (he/him/his)

    Senior Biostatistician
    Emory University School of Medicine
    Atlanta, Georgia

  • MQ

    Mushtaq Qureshi, MD

    Interventional Pain Medicine Fellow
    Emory University School of Medicine - - Atlanta, GA
    Duluth, Georgia

  • VS

    Vinita Singh, MD

    Division Chief, Pain Medicine
    Emory University School of Medicine
    Atlanta, Georgia

Disclosure(s):
Nicholas Hooper, MD: No financial relationships to disclose
Vinita Singh, MD: No financial relationships to disclose
Background and/or Objectives: Peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) is a neuromodulation technique that is used to address transitional and chronic pain from various pathologies. The goal of this study was to evaluate both short- and long-term efficacy of PNS for low back pain.

Design: Retrospective Cohort

Setting : Pain clinics at two academic institutions and one private not-for-profit hospital

Participants : Patients >18 years old who received 60-day temporary PNS therapy for low back pain

Interventions: Peripheral Nerve Stimulator (PNS)

Main Outcome Measures: Pain scores as measured by the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) at baseline, 1, 2, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months.

Results: A total of 203 PNS procedures in 190 patients were included in the analysis. Patients were 66 years old on average (SD=15) and had a mean BMI of 30.3 (SD=6.8). Three quarters were White and 20% Black, with 58% female. Three quarters (n=150, 74%) had a comorbidity. Three quarters (n=147, 73%) were on Medicare or Medicaid. The majority of patients were diagnosed with Lumbar Spondylosis (n = 126, 62%) and/or chronic low back pain (n =102, 50%). Baseline NPRS mean was 6.90 (SD=1.8, n = 203). Mean NPRS scores improved at 1 month (4.55, SD=2.4, n = 164), 2 months (4.10, SD=2.6, n = 173), 3 months, (3.97, SD=2.7, n=73), 6 months (5.38, SD=2.9, n=52), 9 months (4.94, SD=3.2, n=35), and 12 months (5.52, SD=2.7, n=33).

Conclusions: Overall, the use of PNS for low back pain improved patients' average pain scores at all time points compared to baseline. Its peak efficacy was noted at 3 months with a slight increase in pain at 6 through 12 month scores. This study remains limited due its retrospective nature and limited sample size at longer follow up time frames.