Data showed therapy to reduce pain and its ability to improve the quality of life and reduce “catastrophizing” among those with chronic pain. | File image
+ Technology/Innovation
Dorothy Goodin | Feb 5, 2017

Abbott's BurstDR lessens pain, improves quality of life

An alternative treatment for chronic pain is gaining momentum with new evidence of its efficacy.

According to the company’s website, Abbott Laboratories presented its research at the 2017 North American Neuromodulation Society (NANS) annual meeting, focusing on the benefits of BurstDR stimulation, a new type of neurostimulation for patients with a variety of chronic pain conditions.

The research was conducted in Europe, where BurstDR stimulation has been approved since 2014.

Researchers found that BurstDR was more effective than the traditional 10 kiloHertz high-frequency stimulation for patients with Failed Back Surgery Syndrome (FBSS), and showed significant improvements in patients with chronic upper and lower limb pain.

Moreover, data showed therapy to reduce pain and its ability to improve the quality of life and reduce “catastrophizing” among those with chronic pain.

"For years, data from single-center, multi-center and randomized controlled clinical trials have confirmed the benefits of BurstDR stimulation for patients suffering from chronic pain," Dr. Allen Burton, medical director of neuromodulation at Abbott, said. "Throughout NANS 2017, the data presented on BurstDR stimulation consistently demonstrated that the therapy is a good option for new groups of patients currently underserved by existing therapy options. It was exciting to receive direct clinical feedback on the impact of this transformational therapy."

FBSS is defined as “continued back or leg pain despite undergoing lower spinal surgery.”

Under the direction of Dr. Thomas Kinfe, professor of neurosurgery at the Rheinische Friedrich Wilhelms University Hospital in Bonn, Germany, researchers followed 16 patients for up to 20 months, tracking the intensity of back and leg pain.

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