Ryan Cormac G, Eldabe Sam, Chadwick Raymond, Jones Susan E, Elliott-Button Helene L, Brookes Morag, Martin Denis J
School of Health and Social Care, Teesside University, Middlesbrough, UK.
Pain Clinic, The James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough, UK.
Neuromodulation. 2019 Apr;22(3):295-301. doi: 10.1111/ner.12885. Epub 2018 Nov 19.
To explore the experience of spinal cord stimulation (SCS) for patients with failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS).
Adults with FBSS referred for SCS underwent semistructured interviews at three time points: before their SCS trial, after the trial, and three months after receiving the SCS implant. The face-to-face interviews were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim and analyzed thematically.
Twelve adults (8 male, 4 female, aged 38-80 years, pain duration 1-26 years) were recruited. Six themes were identified; 1) What should I expect? 2) Varied outcomes, 3) Understanding pain and this new treatment, 4) Experiences of the SCS journey, 5) Getting used to the device, and 6) Finding out what I need to know. Participants' expectations were varied and the procedures were broadly viewed as minor surgery. Participants' expectations about SCS were not limited to pain relief and included reductions in medication, better sleep, and increased physical activity. Participants' understanding of pain and how SCS purports to work was limited. Throughout the process, practical challenges were identified such as the surgical wound management and battery recharging. Participants received information from multiple sources and identified a range of key information needs including a quick-start guide on how to operate the device and a list of dos and don'ts.
Overall, participants' understanding of SCS was limited. The value participants placed on understanding of the process varied markedly. A list of practical informational needs has been identified. Bespoke, user-friendly, informational tools should be developed from this list to enhance the patient experience of SCS.
探讨脊髓刺激（SCS）治疗腰椎手术失败综合征（FBSS）患者的经验。
因FBSS而接受SCS治疗的成年人在三个时间点接受半结构化访谈：SCS试验前、试验后以及接受SCS植入三个月后。面对面访谈进行录音，逐字转录并进行主题分析。
招募了12名成年人（8名男性，4名女性，年龄38 - 80岁，疼痛持续时间1 - 26年）。确定了六个主题：1）我该期待什么？2）不同的结果，3）对疼痛和这种新治疗方法的理解，4）SCS治疗过程中的经历，5）适应设备，6）了解我需要知道的事情。参与者的期望各不相同，这些程序被广泛视为小手术。参与者对SCS的期望不仅限于缓解疼痛，还包括减少药物使用、改善睡眠和增加身体活动。参与者对疼痛以及SCS如何发挥作用的理解有限。在整个过程中，发现了一些实际挑战，如手术伤口管理和电池充电。参与者从多个来源获取信息，并确定了一系列关键信息需求，包括如何操作设备的快速入门指南以及注意事项清单。
总体而言，参与者对SCS的理解有限。参与者对了解治疗过程的重视程度差异很大。已确定了一系列实际信息需求。应根据此清单开发定制的、用户友好的信息工具，以提升患者的SCS治疗体验。
