News Release

New consensus on neuromodulation therapy by International Neuromodulation Society experts

Peer-Reviewed Publication

International Neuromodulation Society

SAN FRANCISCO, California - Jan. 2, 2017 - The International Neuromodulation Society (INS) journal Neuromodulation: Technology at the Neural Interface is publishing expert, evidence-based guidance on the safe and efficient use of neuromodulation implants in patient-centered therapy.

The guidance, in six publications by more than 60 international experts, collectively reviews more than 600 publications that appeared in the scientific literature by 2014.

The articles provide recommendations about specific issues to improve suffering in patients who live with a variety of chronic conditions.

The INS executive officers convened the international experts who systematically rank evidence and present decision trees and flow charts concerning patient care.

"Interest in targeted delivery of chemical agents has grown in part because intrathecal drug delivery requires perhaps just 1% of an oral dose, and is not prone to painkiller diversion or misuse," commented INS President Timothy Deer, M.D. "Meanwhile neurostimulation treats disease symptoms without relying on medication, by applying targeted electrical stimulation."

The Neuromodulation Appropriateness Consensus Committee first issued neurostimulation therapy guidance in four articles in 2014 that have been cited more than 100 times.

Since then, newer spinal cord stimulation systems have entered the clinic that vary the electrical stimulus pattern or frequency, or target a different part of the spinal cord involved in pain perception.

Intrathecal drug delivery guidance has been published by members of the Polyanalgesic Consensus Conference (PACC) since 2000. These articles address intrathecal drug therapy for chronic pain from cancer or non-cancer conditions. The three articles being published now present recommendations about safety, localized and general pain, and when to employ trial treatment. The articles are the fifth iteration of PACC guidance, and update three PACC articles published in 2014 that have been collectively cited more than 250 times.

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About the International Neuromodulation Society
The nonprofit International Neuromodulation Society presents up-to-date information about the full breadth of neuromodulation therapies through an interactive website, its journal Neuromodulation: Technology at the Neural Interface, annual regional meetings, and its biennial world congress. The INS 13th World Congress, "Neuromodulation: Technology Changing Lives" takes place May 27 - June 1, 2017 in Edinburgh, Scotland.

The INS journal Neuromodulation: Technology at the Neural Interface publishes peer-review articles on the technology, science, and clinical application of devices that interface with the nervous system to treat disease and improve function.

Related Citations:

Deer, TR, et al. (2017), The Neurostimulation Appropriateness Consensus Committee (NACC) Safety Guidelines for the Reduction of Severe Neurological Injury. Neuromodulation: Technology at the Neural Interface. doi: 10.1111/ner.12564

Deer, TR, et al. (2017), The Neurostimulation Appropriateness Consensus Committee (NACC) Recommendations for Infection Prevention and Management. Neuromodulation: Technology at the Neural Interface. doi: 10.1111/ner.12565

Deer, TR, et al. (2017), The Neurostimulation Appropriateness Consensus Committee (NACC): Recommendations on Bleeding and Coagulation Management in Neurostimulation Devices. Neuromodulation: Technology at the Neural Interface. doi: 10.1111/ner.12542

Deer, TR, et al. (2017), The Polyanalgesic Consensus Conference (PACC): Recommendations on Intrathecal Drug Infusion Systems Best Practices and Guidelines. Neuromodulation: Technology at the Neural Interface. doi: 10.1111/ner.12538

Deer, TR, et al. (2017), The Polyanalgesic Consensus Conference (PACC): Recommendations for Trialing of Intrathecal Drug Delivery Infusion Therapy. Neuromodulation: Technology at the Neural Interface. doi: 10.1111/ner.12543

Deer, TR, et al. (2017), The Polyanalgesic Consensus Conference (PACC): Recommendations for Intrathecal Drug Delivery: Guidance for Improving Safety and Mitigating Risks. Neuromodulation: Technology at the Neural Interface. doi: 10.1111/ner.12579

The print versions of the NACC articles will appear in Neuromodulation, Volume 20, Number 1, in January, while the PACC articles will appear in February in Volume 20, Number 2.


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