Pasienters erfaringer med nervestimulator som smertelindring ved nevropatisk ryggsmerte. En kvalitativ studie.

Abstract

Neuropathic pain is a complex, chronic and disabling condition that has physical, functional, and psychosocial repercussions. Although the estimated prevalence of neuropathic pain in the general population ranges from 1.5 % to 8%, it is reported that neuropathic pain is frequently under-diagnosed and under-treated. The aim of this study was to investigate the experiences patients with chronic neuropathic pain have with spinal cord stimulation as pain relieving treatment. A qualitative approach based on semi-structured interviews was chosen. Purposive sampling was chosen to select seven patient from a University Hospital in Norway, where all participants used spinal cord stimulation frequently as pain revieling treatment. The interviews was preformed by telephone. The interviews were analysed inspired by Graneheim and Lundman`s (2003) qualitative content analysis. The analysis resulted in two thematic findings related to patients experiences with spinal cord stimulation: «Pain relief with spinal cord stimulation as a complex and individual experience» and «Challenges concerning participation in everyday life with spinal cord stimulation». The findings indicate that spinal cord stimulation can offer a high level of pain relief that can help pasients towards a meaningsful life despite chronic pain. However, spinal cord stimulation also represents a number of disadvantages that should be taken into account befor offering this treatment. Clinical implications suggest that improved information to patients considering this treatment could be beneficial.