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Ed Note: The following is a press release from Blackwell
Publishing.
July 26, 2004 -
People suffering from chronic pain
caused by a nerve injury are experiencing relief through the use of
electrical stimulation of the spinal cord. The journal Neuromodulation,
published by Blackwell on behalf of the International Neuromodulation
Society and the International Functional Electrical Stimulation Society,
just released findings from a series of new studies that reveals a
successful new way to apply electrical fields to the spinal cord for pain
relief. These studies review a new spinal cord stimulation system recently
approved by the FDA for chronic pain.
Half of all physicians' office
visits in the U.S. are related to pain, creating an estimated economic cost
to society of $100 billion annually, and afflicting approximately 70 million
Americans.[1] Half of Americans suffering from chronic pain become partially
or totally disabled. Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) has been used for over 30
years for the treatment of chronic pain, and patients using SCS therapy
visit hospitals less frequently, use fewer narcotics and opiates, and lead
more healthy and active lifestyles. [2] While technology has helped to
improve the SCS devices and make them more flexible, it has challenged
researchers and medical engineers to develop an adaptable system with an
increased number of stimulation contacts and flexible programming options.
The data published is from a
multi-center study on the use of a new neurostimulation system. This new
system is unique in its use of a current-shifting programming technique for
spinal cord stimulation. The changing distribution of electrical current
shifts the electric field along the spinal cord, resulting in real-time,
dynamic paresthesia steering. This process is known as continuous electric
field adjustment (CEFA).
Author Dr. John Oakley observed,
"The use of continuous electric field adjustments enabled us to use up to 71
combinations, assessed in just four minutes. This, along with patient
feedback, can help implanting physicians realize the best locations of leads
and therefore maximize therapeutic possibilities. It's about helping
patients experience less pain."
About the Author
John Oakley, MD is the director of
pain management for the Northern Rockies Pain Rehabilitation Center in
Billings, Montana. A board certified neurological surgeon and board
certified in Pain Management through the American Board of Pain Medicine,
Dr. Oakley is the principal author of the acute study performed at
Yellowstone Neurosurgical Associates, Pasadena Rehabilitation Institute,
Pacific Pain treatment Center and Advanced Bionics Corporation. For
questions and interviews, please e-mail Dr. Oakley at
JoShir@aol.com or call 406-238-6650.
About Neuromodulation
Neuromodulation, the journal of
the International Neuromodulation Society and the International Functional
Electrical Stimulation Society , is a must-read for clinicians, engineers
and scientists who want timely information on implantable devices to improve
the function of the body. The journal redefines the neuromodulation field,
covering the therapeutic alteration of activity in the central, peripheral
or autonomic nervous systems, electrically or pharmacologically, by means of
implanted devices. For additional information on the journal, please visit
www.blackwellpublishing.com/ner.
About the International
Neuromodulation Society
The goal of the International
Neuromodulation Society (INS) is to promote therapeutic neuromodulation in
its broadest sense at a clinical and scientific level. The scientific
objectives of the INS are to increase the understanding of the mechanisms of
neuromodulation and to evaluate existing and new applications. The clinical
objectives are to refine the indications for this therapy and to extend the
application and availability, thereby maximizing the benefit individually
and collectively. For more information, please visit
http://www.neuromodulation.com/.
About the International
Functional Electrical Stimulation Society
The purpose of IFESS is to promote
the research, application, and understanding of electrical stimulation as it
is utilized in the field of medicine. IFESS membership is composed of
primarily academic leaders in the field of biomedical engineering, physical
therapists, medical doctors, and members of the electrical stimulation
manufacturing community. For more information, please visit
http://www.ifess.org/.
About Blackwell Publishing
Blackwell Publishing is the
world's leading, independent society publisher with offices in the US, UK,
Japan, Denmark, Australia, and Germany. Blackwell publishes over 700
journals in partnership with more than 550 academic and professional
societies. For more information, please visit
http://www.blackwellpublishing.com/.
1 MedTech Insight, Pharmacologic
and Device-Based Therapeutic Approaches to Pain Management, #A360, August
2003 2 Krames, E.,"Implantable Technologies: Spinal Cord Stimulation and
Implantable Drug Delivery Systems," the National Pain Foundation web site (http://www.painconnection.org/).
What is neuromodulation?
Neuromodulation is defined as the
therapeutic alteration of activity in the central, peripheral or autonomic
nervous systems, electrically or pharmacologically, by means of implanted
devices.
At the present time the devices
used are mainly "stimulators" and "pumps" and the major applications are in
managing chronic pain, movement disorders, spasticity, and epilepsy.
Neuroprosthetics such as cochlear implants and sacral root stimulators are
commonly included.
Clinicians, scientists and
industry are united in this growing, diverse multidisciplinary field which
delivers enormous benefit to patients by improving function and reducing
suffering.
Contact:
Sharon Agsalda
medicalnews@bos.blackwellpublishing.net
Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
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