Subthreshold SCS or BMT (TRADITION)

The Holistic Response of Patients With Persistent Spinal Pain Syndrome Type II by Subthreshold Spinal Cord Stimulation Compared to Best Medical Treatment, Investigated by a Multicentric Randomized Controlled Trial

Given the substantial socioeconomic impact of Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS) implantations and given that currently no direct high-quality evidence with a relevant outcome measurement is available to guide the treatment choice between subthreshold SCS versus best medical treatment in patients with Persistent Spinal Pain Syndrome Type 2 (PSPS-T2), we here propose a scientifically well-constructed randomized controlled trial to answer this question. The primary scientific objective is to examine whether subthreshold SCS, compared to best medical treatment, provided to patients with PSPS-T2 results in a higher percentage of clinical holistic responders at 6 months. The secondary objective of the study is to examine if subthreshold SCS compared with BMT is having more efficacy in improving patients' individual competencies for self-management, increasing the likelihood to return to work, work status and healthcare expenditure, improving pain relief, obtaining pain medication reduction, decreasing anxiety and depression, increasing quality of life and decreasing disability.

After filling in the questionnaires at the 6 months follow-up visit, patients could change treatment groups (in both directions). This decision will be a shared decisions between patient and treating physician in case the randomized intervention did not provided enough pain relief.

For each patient who is randomized to BMT, an optimal individual treatment plan will be developed by the treating physician.

The clinical holistic responder status as a composite measure represents the global effect of a treatment, based on a combination of questionnaires.

Overall pain, defined as a combination of back and leg pain, but not pain from other body parts, measured with the VAS (100mm)

Patients will be asked to quantify the impression of change after treatment using the Patient Global Impression of Change scale (PGIC).

Patient activation measure-13 (PAM) is a 13-item instrument which assesses self-reported behaviour, knowledge, and confidence for self-management of one's health.

Inclusion Criteria: Persistent Spinal Pain Syndrome Type II (PSPS-T2) Chronic pain as a result of PSPS-T2 that exists for at least 6 months with a pain intensity of at least 4/10 on the Numeric Rating Scale, refractory to conservative treatment. PSPS-T2 patients eligible for subthreshold SCS Age > 18 years Patient has been informed of the study procedures and has given written informed consent Patient willing to comply with study protocol including attending the study visits Exclusion Criteria: Expected inability of patients to receive or properly operate the spinal cord stimulation system Evidence of an active psychiatric disorder Suffering from another chronic illness characterised by chronic generalized widespread pain (e.g. rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, scleroderma). Pregnancy