Comparison of the Efficacy and Safety of Temporary Spinal Cord Stimulation versus Pulsed Radiofrequency for Postherpetic Neuralgia: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial
Table 6
Longitudinal results of the level of pain and quality of life in the PRF cohort over time.
Outcome
Time
PRF cohort (n = 20)
-value#
VAS
Baseline
8.0 (7.8-9.0)
Ref
1 week
4.0 (4.0-5.0)
<0.001
1 month
4.0 (4.0-5.0)
<0.001
3 months
4.0 (3.8-5.0)
<0.001
6 months
4.0 (4.0-4.3)
<0.001
-value over time↑
<0.001
SIS
Baseline
7.0 (7.0-8.0)
Ref
1 week
4.0 (4.0-4.3)
<0.001
1 month
4.0 (3.0-4.3)
<0.001
3 months
3.5 (3.0-4.0)
<0.001
6 months
4.0 (3.0-4.0)
<0.001
-value over time↑
<0.001
PHQ-9
Baseline
6.0 (5.0-6.0)
Ref
1 week
4.0 (3.8-5.0)
0.004
1 month
4.0 (3.0-4.0)
<0.001
3 months
4.0 (3.0-4.3)
<0.001
6 months
4.0 (3.0-4.3)
<0.001
-value over time↑
<0.001
GAD-7
Baseline
6.5 (4.5-9.5)
Ref
1 week
4.5 (3.0-5.3)
0.108
1 month
4.5 (4.0-6.0)
0.176
3 months
5.0 (4.0-6.0)
0.208
6 months
5.0 (4.0-6.0)
0.172
-value over time↑
0.114
PF of SF-36
Baseline
40.0 (40.0-56.3)
Ref
1 week
80.0 (78.8-80.0)
<0.001
1 month
80.0 (60.0-80.0)
<0.001
3 months
60.0 (55.0-60.0)
0.020
6 months
60.0 (55.0-60.0)
0.020
-value over time↑
<0.001
BP of SF-36
Baseline
31.0 (12.0-31.0)
Ref
1 week
31.0 (31.0-33.8)
0.332
1 month
31.0 (31.0-42.0)
0.256
3 months
42.0 (41.8-42.0)
0.004
6 months
42.0 (41.8-42.0)
0.004
-value over time↑
<0.001
PRP: pulsed radiofrequency; 1st-3rd: 1st-3rd quartiles; VAS: visual analogue scale; SIS: daily sleep interference score; PHQ-9: patient health questionnaire-9; GAD-7: generalized anxiety disorder 7 scale; SF-36: the 36-item short-form health survey; PF: physical function; BP: bodily pain. #-value comparison via post hoc or Wilcoxon signed-rank test. ↑ -value represents overall significance over time as per the Friedman test.
