What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating how spinal cord stimulation (SCS) affects chronic pain perception and management. This observational study focuses on patients with chronic pain attending the Palliative Care and Pain Therapy Division at the European Institute of Oncology IRCCS in Milan, Italy. It investigates the relationship between psychological factors, such as anxiety and depression, and outcomes like pain reduction, satisfaction with the SCS procedure, and whether the device is removed. The study hypothesizes that higher anxiety and depression may lead to less satisfaction and more pain after SCS implantation. The SCS implantation involves a two-step surgical process. Initially, patients receive a temporary SCS device during hospital admission to experience its impact on their chronic pain, get accustomed to the device, and decide whether to proceed. After one month, if convinced, the temporary device is replaced with a permanent implant. Patients who accept the surgery and meet the study criteria are invited to participate and complete psychological and pain-related questionnaires at multiple time points before and after the implantation. Participants will complete questionnaires online or on paper to assess psychological well-being, the effect of chronic pain on daily life, and decision-making about surgery. The study tracks pain reduction, device removal, and satisfaction over an eight-month period. Researchers monitor psychological status and its impact on these outcomes, aiming to understand better how mental health influences the success of SCS in managing chronic pain.

Psychological Assessment in Patients Treated with Spinal Cord Stimulation