Single-lead percutaneous peripheral nerve stimulation for the treatment of hemiplegic shoulder pain: a case report

Previous studies demonstrated the efficacy of 6 weeks of a 4-lead percutaneous, peripheral nerve stimulation system in reducing hemiplegic shoulder pain. This case report describes the first stroke survivor treated for 3 weeks with a less complex, single-lead approach. The participant was a 59-year-old male who developed hemiplegic shoulder pain shortly after his stroke 7.5 years prior to study enrollment and was treated with multiple modalities without sustained pain relief. After study enrollment, a single intramuscular lead was placed percutaneously into the deltoid muscle. He was treated 6 hours per day for 3 weeks and the lead was removed. The primary outcome measure was the Brief Pain Inventory (Short-Form) Question 3 (BPI-3), which queries the worst pain in the last week on a 0 to 10 numeric rating scale. At baseline, BPI 3 was an 8. At the end of treatment and at 1 and 4 weeks after treatment was completed, BPI 3 scores were 3, 2, and 2, respectively. Substantial improvements in quality of life measures were also observed. The participant remained infection-free and the lead was removed fully intact. After completing the study protocol, the participant was followed clinically for 13 months posttreatment with complete resolution of hemiplegic shoulder pain. This case report demonstrates the feasibility of a single-lead peripheral nerve stimulation for the treatment of chronic hemiplegic shoulder pain. Additional studies are needed to further demonstrate safety and efficacy, determine optimal dose, define optimal prescriptive parameters, expand clinical indications, and demonstrate long-term effect.