Neuromodulation : journal of the International Neuromodulation Society
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Preclinical studies have shown that surgically implanted vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) promotes recovery of consciousness and cognitive function following experimental traumatic brain injury (TBI). The aim of this study is to report the feasibility and safety of a noninvasive transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS) in patients with persistent impairment of consciousness following severe TBI. ⋯ We demonstrated that tVNS is a feasible and safe VNS strategy for patients following severe TBI. Controlled studies are needed to clarify whether tVNS has a potential to promote recovery of consciousness following severe TBI.
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Peripheral neuralgia is a common cause of chronic pain. Treatment might be challenging, and the condition can be resistant to commonly used treatment modalities for chronic pain. We present five cases of peripheral neuralgia who were successfully treated using wireless peripheral nerve stimulation. ⋯ We present five patients with peripheral neuralgias resistant to other treatment modalities who received excellent pain relief following implantation of a peripheral nerve stimulator.
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Review Meta Analysis
Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation As A Pain-Relieving Approach in Labor Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is a non-invasive electrophysical pain-relieving modality that also can be used in labor pain. Compared to other methods, TENS is not commonly practiced in intrapartum care due to a lack of knowledge about its clinical efficacy. Hence, a comprehensive overview of all types of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on TENS can provide a better insight into this method and its efficacy in labor pain. ⋯ The forest plot showed a small, but statistically significant efficacy of TENS on the reduction of pain intensity. However, it is not clear if the results were affected by the poor quality of the studies. This systematic review is the first that shows the application of TENS has significant efficacy in lowering labor pain. Findings from this review encourage the application of qualified methods for future and prospective studies with TENS applied in labor pain.
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Review Meta Analysis
Cervical Noninvasive Vagus Nerve Stimulation for Migraine and Cluster Headache: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Noninvasive vagus nerve stimulation (nVNS) has been proposed as a new neuromodulation therapy to treat primary headache disorders. The purpose of this study was to analyze the effectiveness and safety of peripheral nerve stimulation of the cervical branch of the vagal nerve for primary headache disorders. ⋯ PROSPERO registration number CRD42019126009.
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Review Case Reports
Peripheral Nerve Stimulation for Refractory Trigeminal Pain: Recent Single-Institution Case Series With Long-Term Follow-Up and Review of the Literature.
Peripheral neurostimulation (PNS) for medically refractory trigeminal pain is an emerging alternative to traditional surgical approaches, with safety and efficacy demonstrated in several retrospective series and a prospective trial currently in progress. Many existing studies suffer from relatively small numbers and short or inconsistent follow-up, making balanced treatment assessment difficult. ⋯ We present a single-institution series of PNS for complex craniofacial pain involving the trigeminal nerve. The procedure is safe, effective and durable over at least one year in the large majority of a well-selected patient population.