Longitudinal outcomes following temporary 60-day percutaneous peripheral nerve stimulation for chronic pain: a retrospective analysis
Authors' conclusion
Patients with percutaneous 60-day PNS showed ≥30% pain reduction in 24% of patients using the primary outcome (median postprocedural NRS), with responder rates spanning 8%-14% across sensitivity analyses depending on the postprocedural pain anchor and threshold applied.
Study context
- Population
- Patients with chronic pain undergoing temporary 60-day percutaneous peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) at Massachusetts General Hospital and Brigham and Women's Hospital, April 2021–September 2025102 with complete pain data
- Participants
- 125 patients
- Outcome
- Treatment response: ≥30% reduction from day-of-procedure to median postprocedural NRS pain score
Methodological detailslinear mixed-effects models
- Linear mixed-effects models
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Responders (≥30% reduction, median postprocedural NRS)
PNS
24%
24
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Secondary outcomes
| Outcome | Values |
|---|---|
| Responders, ≥50% threshold, median postprocedural NRS (sensitivity analysis) | PNS 14% |
| Responders, ≥30% threshold, maximum postprocedural NRS (sensitivity analysis) | PNS 13% |
| Responders, ≥50% threshold, maximum postprocedural NRS (sensitivity analysis) | PNS 8% |
- Responders, ≥50% threshold, median postprocedural Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) (sensitivity analysis): 102 with complete pain score data
- Responders, ≥30% threshold, maximum postprocedural NRS (sensitivity analysis): 102 with complete pain score data
- Responders, ≥50% threshold, maximum postprocedural NRS (sensitivity analysis): 102 with complete pain score data
Change in morphine milligram equivalents (MME) among patients with baseline opioid use (n=35, 28%) · 1 year
- Documentable change in MME
- 7
- Increase in MME
- 5
- Decrease in MME
- 2
- Most patients opioid-naïve at baseline
At least one comorbid mental health diagnosis (all patients)
- Patients with ≥1 comorbid mental health diagnosis
- 54%
Safety
| Outcome | Values |
|---|---|
| Early PNS device removal | PNS 19% |
- Early PNS device removal — Lack of efficacy, worsening pain or new paresthesia
- 11 (9%)
- Early PNS device removal — Other reasons (lead migration/dislodgement, lead fracture, removal for MRI, infection, skin irritation)
- 13 (10%)
- Early PNS device removal — Early removal, non-responders vs responders
- 22% vs 13%
Original publication
Longitudinal outcomes following temporary 60-day percutaneous peripheral nerve stimulation for chronic pain: a retrospective analysis. Reg Anesth Pain Med. Published 24 July 2026. doi:10.
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