Does industry funding and study location impact findings from randomized controlled trials of spinal cord stimulation? A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors' conclusion
All outcomes of SCS versus usual care were not significantly different between studies funded by industry and those independent from industry. Pain intensity score and change in pain intensity from baseline for comparisons of HF-SCS to LF-SCS seem to be impacted by industry funding.
Study context
- Population
- Patients with neuropathic pain in parallel-group randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of spinal cord stimulation (SCS)
- Participants
- 1,823 patients · 17 RCTs
- Comparison
- SCS vs usual care, and HF-SCS vs LF-SCS, by funding source and study location
- Outcome
- Pain intensity score, SCS vs usual care, by funding subgroup
- Follow-up
- 6 months
Methodological detailsrandom-effects meta-analysis, Risk of bias assessed using Cochrane RoB 2.0 tool, Databases searched until September 2022
- Random-effects meta-analysis
- Risk of bias assessed using Cochrane RoB 2.0 tool
- Databases searched until September 2022
Pooled result
As reported in the abstract
Estimate (95% CI)
No funding or funding not disclosed95% PI not estimable, I2=0%, τ2=0
pooled MD −1.96(−3.23 to −0.69)
Industry funding95% PI −8.75 to 3.35, I2=97%, τ2=2.96
pooled MD −2.70(−4.29 to −1.11)
Non-industry funding95% PI, I2 and τ2 not applicable
MD −3.09(−4.47 to −1.72)
- Test for subgroup differences: no significant differences (moderate certainty evidence)
- P = 0.48
Further pooled results
HF-SCS vs LF-SCS, by funding source
- Industry-funded studies showed statistically significant advantages for HF-SCS vs LF-SCS; studies with no funding showed no differences (low certainty evidence)
Original publication
Does industry funding and study location impact findings from randomized controlled trials of spinal cord stimulation? A systematic review and meta-analysis. Reg Anesth Pain Med. Published 23 August 2023. doi:10.
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