Multidevice spinal cord stimulation trials: shared decision making in the era of multiple neuromodulation paradigms

Aim: There is a lack of evidence-based standards for matching spinal cord stimulation (SCS) paradigm to individual patients. We aim to determine the feasibility and safety of a new alternative trial strategy, a sequential multidevice trial.Materials & methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on 116 patients who underwent SCS trials, single device or sequential multidevice (tonic and high-frequency), for chronic low back pain to assess feasibility and compare trial-to-implantation rate and explantation rate.Results: Multidevice SCS trials are feasible and safe. There was no statistically significant difference in the trial-to-implantation and explantation rates between the two groups.Conclusion: Multidevice SCS trial, prioritizing patient preference, may serve as an alternative trial strategy to improve long-term success of SCS.