Skip to main content
Top
Published in: Current Pain and Headache Reports 2/2022

01-02-2022 | Neuropathic Pain | Regenerative Pain Medicine/Interventional Pain Medicine (EC Bradley, Section Editors)

Dorsal Column Stimulation and Cannabinoids in the Treatment of Chronic Nociceptive and Neuropathic Pain: a Review of the Clinical and Pre-clinical Data

Authors: Charles A. Odonkor, Tariq AlFarra, Peju Adekoya, Vwaire Orhurhu, Tomás Rodríguez, Emily Sottosanti, Alan D. Kaye

Published in: Current Pain and Headache Reports | Issue 2/2022

Login to get access

Abstract

Purpose of Review

The main objective of this review is to appraise the literature on the role of spinal cord stimulation (SCS), cannabinoid therapy, as well as SCS and cannabinoid combination therapy for the management of chronic neuropathic and nociceptive pain. Current research suggests that SCS reduces pain and increases functional status in carefully selected patients with minimal side effects.

Recent Findings

As cannabinoid-based medications become a topic of increasing interest in pain management, data remains limited regarding the clinical efficacy of cannabinoids for pain relief. Furthermore, from a mechanistic perspective, although various pain treatment modalities utilize overlapping pain-signaling pathways, clarifying whether cannabinoids work synergistically with SCS via shared mechanisms remains to be determined. In considering secondary outcomes, the current literature suggests cannabinoids improve quality of life, specifically sleep quality, and that SCS decreases opioid consumption, increases functional capacity, and decreases long-term healthcare costs.

Summary

These findings, along with the high safety profiles of SCS and cannabinoids overall, incentivize further exploration of cannabinoids as an adjunctive therapy to SCS in the treatment of neuropathic and nociceptive pain.
Appendix
Available only for authorised users
Literature
1.
go back to reference •• Institute of Medicine (US) Committee on Advancing Pain Research, Care, and Education. Relieving pain in America: a blueprint for transforming prevention, care, education, and research. Washington (DC): National Academies Press (US). 2011. PMID: 22553896. Addresses the current state of pain research, care, and education; and provides recommendations intended to improve pain management approaches. •• Institute of Medicine (US) Committee on Advancing Pain Research, Care, and Education. Relieving pain in America: a blueprint for transforming prevention, care, education, and research. Washington (DC): National Academies Press (US). 2011. PMID: 22553896. Addresses the current state of pain research, care, and education; and provides recommendations intended to improve pain management approaches.
2.
go back to reference •• Park PW, Dryer RD, Hegeman-Dingle R, Mardekian J, Zlateva G, Wolff GG, et al. Cost burden of chronic pain patients in a large integrated delivery system in the United States. Pain Pract [Internet]. 1 Nov 2016. 2019;16(8):1001–11. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1111/papr.12357. Estimates healthcare costs and resource utilization among chronic pain patients. Results support using integrated delivery systems to evaluate ways to improve outcomes and lower healthcare costs for chronic pain patients. •• Park PW, Dryer RD, Hegeman-Dingle R, Mardekian J, Zlateva G, Wolff GG, et al. Cost burden of chronic pain patients in a large integrated delivery system in the United States. Pain Pract [Internet]. 1 Nov 2016. 2019;16(8):1001–11. Available from: https://​doi.​org/​10.​1111/​papr.​12357. Estimates healthcare costs and resource utilization among chronic pain patients. Results support using integrated delivery systems to evaluate ways to improve outcomes and lower healthcare costs for chronic pain patients.
3.
go back to reference • Jackson T, Thomas S, Stabile V, Han X, Shotwell M, McQueen K. Prevalence of chronic pain in low-income and middle-income countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Lancet [Internet]. 2015 Apr 27 [cited 2019 Jan 5]; 385: S10. Available from: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(15)60805-4/fulltext. Meta-analysis of the range and prevalence of chronic pain in low-income and middle-income countries in anticipation of emergency and essential surgery services continuing to develop in these countries. • Jackson T, Thomas S, Stabile V, Han X, Shotwell M, McQueen K. Prevalence of chronic pain in low-income and middle-income countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Lancet [Internet]. 2015 Apr 27 [cited 2019 Jan 5]; 385: S10. Available from: https://​www.​thelancet.​com/​journals/​lancet/​article/​PIIS0140-6736(15)60805-4/​fulltext. Meta-analysis of the range and prevalence of chronic pain in low-income and middle-income countries in anticipation of emergency and essential surgery services continuing to develop in these countries.
8.
go back to reference • Lumpkin EA, Caterina MJ. Mechanisms of sensory transduction in the skin. Nature [Internet]. 2007 Feb 22 [cited 2019 Jan 5];445(7130):858–65. Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17314972. Describes the complexity of the skin's sensory functions and their involvement with various signaling molecules and cell types in an attempt to better understand underlying somatosensation. • Lumpkin EA, Caterina MJ. Mechanisms of sensory transduction in the skin. Nature [Internet]. 2007 Feb 22 [cited 2019 Jan 5];445(7130):858–65. Available from: http://​www.​ncbi.​nlm.​nih.​gov/​pubmed/​17314972. Describes the complexity of the skin's sensory functions and their involvement with various signaling molecules and cell types in an attempt to better understand underlying somatosensation.
12.
go back to reference • Treede R-D, Jensen TS, Campbell JN, Cruccu G, Dostrovsky JO, Griffin JW, et al. Neuropathic pain: redefinition and a grading system for clinical and research purposes. Neurology [Internet]. 2008 Apr 29 [cited 2019 Jan 7];70(18):1630–5. Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18003941 . Proposes a grading system of definite, probable, and possible neuropathic pain for clinical and research purposes given the lack of specific diagnostic tools for neuropathic pain. • Treede R-D, Jensen TS, Campbell JN, Cruccu G, Dostrovsky JO, Griffin JW, et al. Neuropathic pain: redefinition and a grading system for clinical and research purposes. Neurology [Internet]. 2008 Apr 29 [cited 2019 Jan 7];70(18):1630–5. Available from: http://​www.​ncbi.​nlm.​nih.​gov/​pubmed/​18003941 . Proposes a grading system of definite, probable, and possible neuropathic pain for clinical and research purposes given the lack of specific diagnostic tools for neuropathic pain.
18.
go back to reference Fuchs PN, Roza C, Sora I, Uhl G, Raja SN. Characterization of mechanical withdrawal responses and effects of μ-, δ-and κ-opioid agonists in normal and μ-opioid receptor knockout mice. Brain Res [Internet]. 1999 Mar 13 [cited 2020 Jan 10];821(2):480–6. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10064835/ Fuchs PN, Roza C, Sora I, Uhl G, Raja SN. Characterization of mechanical withdrawal responses and effects of μ-, δ-and κ-opioid agonists in normal and μ-opioid receptor knockout mice. Brain Res [Internet]. 1999 Mar 13 [cited 2020 Jan 10];821(2):480–6. Available from: https://​pubmed.​ncbi.​nlm.​nih.​gov/​10064835/​
19.
22.
go back to reference • Patel R, Dickenson AH. Mechanisms of the gabapentinoids and α 2 δ -1 calcium channel subunit in neuropathic pain. Pharmacol Res Perspect [Internet]. 2016 Apr 1 [cited 2019 Jan 9];4(2):e00205. Available from: http://doi.wiley.com/10.1002/prp2.205. A review of the role of the α 2 δ-1 subunit and mechanisms of analgesic action and clinical efficacy of gabapentinoid drugs in response to relatively high number needed to treat for gabapentin and pregabalin across neuropathies. • Patel R, Dickenson AH. Mechanisms of the gabapentinoids and α 2 δ -1 calcium channel subunit in neuropathic pain. Pharmacol Res Perspect [Internet]. 2016 Apr 1 [cited 2019 Jan 9];4(2):e00205. Available from: http://​doi.​wiley.​com/​10.​1002/​prp2.​205. A review of the role of the α 2 δ-1 subunit and mechanisms of analgesic action and clinical efficacy of gabapentinoid drugs in response to relatively high number needed to treat for gabapentin and pregabalin across neuropathies.
28.
go back to reference Fritzell P, Hägg O, Wessberg P, Nordwall A, Group SLSS, others. 2001 Volvo Award Winner in Clinical Studies: Lumbar fusion versus nonsurgical treatment for chronic low back pain: a multicenter randomized controlled trial from the Swedish Lumbar Spine Study Group. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2001;26(23):2521–32. Fritzell P, Hägg O, Wessberg P, Nordwall A, Group SLSS, others. 2001 Volvo Award Winner in Clinical Studies: Lumbar fusion versus nonsurgical treatment for chronic low back pain: a multicenter randomized controlled trial from the Swedish Lumbar Spine Study Group. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2001;26(23):2521–32.
29.
go back to reference Fairbank J, Frost H, Wilson-MacDonald J, Yu L-M, Barker K, Collins R, et al. Randomised controlled trial to compare surgical stabilisation of the lumbar spine with an intensive rehabilitation programme for patients with chronic low back pain: the MRC spine stabilisation trial. BMJ [Internet]. 2005 May 28 [cited 2019 Jan 12];330(7502):1233. Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15911537 Fairbank J, Frost H, Wilson-MacDonald J, Yu L-M, Barker K, Collins R, et al. Randomised controlled trial to compare surgical stabilisation of the lumbar spine with an intensive rehabilitation programme for patients with chronic low back pain: the MRC spine stabilisation trial. BMJ [Internet]. 2005 May 28 [cited 2019 Jan 12];330(7502):1233. Available from: http://​www.​ncbi.​nlm.​nih.​gov/​pubmed/​15911537
30.
go back to reference Turk DC. Clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of treatments for patients with chronic pain. Clin J Pain. 2002;18(6):355–65.CrossRef Turk DC. Clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of treatments for patients with chronic pain. Clin J Pain. 2002;18(6):355–65.CrossRef
32.
34.
go back to reference Moens M, Goudman L, Brouns R, Valenzuela Espinoza A, De Jaeger M, Huysmans E, et al. Return to work of patients treated with spinal cord stimulation for chronic pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Neuromodulation Technol Neural Interface [Internet]. 2018 Aug 17 [cited 2019 Jan 13]. Available from: http://doi.wiley.com/10.1111/ner.12797 Moens M, Goudman L, Brouns R, Valenzuela Espinoza A, De Jaeger M, Huysmans E, et al. Return to work of patients treated with spinal cord stimulation for chronic pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Neuromodulation Technol Neural Interface [Internet]. 2018 Aug 17 [cited 2019 Jan 13]. Available from: http://​doi.​wiley.​com/​10.​1111/​ner.​12797
39.
go back to reference Oakley JC, Prager JP. Spinal cord stimulation: mechanisms of action. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2002;27(22):2574–83. Oakley JC, Prager JP. Spinal cord stimulation: mechanisms of action. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2002;27(22):2574–83.
41.
go back to reference De Ridder D, Vancamp T, Vanneste S. Fundamentals of burst stimulation of the spinal cord and brain. InNeuromodulation 2018 Jan 1 (pp. 147–160). Academic Press. De Ridder D, Vancamp T, Vanneste S. Fundamentals of burst stimulation of the spinal cord and brain. InNeuromodulation 2018 Jan 1 (pp. 147–160). Academic Press.
44.
go back to reference van Beek M, Slangen R, Schaper NC, Faber CG, Joosten EA, Dirksen CD, et al. Sustained treatment effect of spinal cord stimulation in painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy: 24-month follow-up of a prospective two-center randomized controlled trial. Diabetes Care [Internet]. 2015 Sep 1 [cited 2019 Jan 14];38(9):e132–4. Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26116722 van Beek M, Slangen R, Schaper NC, Faber CG, Joosten EA, Dirksen CD, et al. Sustained treatment effect of spinal cord stimulation in painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy: 24-month follow-up of a prospective two-center randomized controlled trial. Diabetes Care [Internet]. 2015 Sep 1 [cited 2019 Jan 14];38(9):e132–4. Available from: http://​www.​ncbi.​nlm.​nih.​gov/​pubmed/​26116722
47.
go back to reference Deer T, Slavin KV, Amirdelfan K, North RB, Burton AW, Yearwood TL, Tavel E, Staats P, Falowski S, Pope J, Justiz R, Fabi AY, Taghva A, Paicius R, Houden T, Wilson D. Success Using Neuromodulation With BURST (SUNBURST) study: results from a prospective, randomized controlled trial using a novel burst waveform. Neuromodulation. 2018;21(1):56–66. https://doi.org/10.1111/ner.12698 . (Epub 2017 Sep 29 PMID: 28961366).CrossRefPubMed Deer T, Slavin KV, Amirdelfan K, North RB, Burton AW, Yearwood TL, Tavel E, Staats P, Falowski S, Pope J, Justiz R, Fabi AY, Taghva A, Paicius R, Houden T, Wilson D. Success Using Neuromodulation With BURST (SUNBURST) study: results from a prospective, randomized controlled trial using a novel burst waveform. Neuromodulation. 2018;21(1):56–66. https://​doi.​org/​10.​1111/​ner.​12698 . (Epub 2017 Sep 29 PMID: 28961366).CrossRefPubMed
52.
58.
go back to reference • Meng H, Johnston B, Englesakis M, Moulin DE, Bhatia A. Selective cannabinoids for chronic neuropathic pain. Anesth Analg [Internet]. 2017 Nov [cited 2019 Jan 1];125(5):1638–52. Available from: http://insights.ovid.com/crossref?an=00000539-201711000-00032 . Discusses the analgesic efficacy of selective cannabinoids compared to conventional management or placebo for chronic NP given the lack of consensus on their role in the treatment of neuropathic pain (NP) and contradictory recommendations among guidelines from national and international pain societies. • Meng H, Johnston B, Englesakis M, Moulin DE, Bhatia A. Selective cannabinoids for chronic neuropathic pain. Anesth Analg [Internet]. 2017 Nov [cited 2019 Jan 1];125(5):1638–52. Available from: http://​insights.​ovid.​com/​crossref?​an=​00000539-201711000-00032 . Discusses the analgesic efficacy of selective cannabinoids compared to conventional management or placebo for chronic NP given the lack of consensus on their role in the treatment of neuropathic pain (NP) and contradictory recommendations among guidelines from national and international pain societies.
59.
61.
go back to reference Maher DP, Martins YC, Doshi T, Bicket M, Zhang K, Hanna G, et al. Neuropathic pain medication use does not alter outcomes of spinal cord stimulation for lower extremity pain. Neuromodulation Technol Neural Interface [Internet]. 2018 Jan 1 [cited 2019 Jan 1];21(1):106–13. Available from: http://doi.wiley.com/10.1111/ner.12697 Maher DP, Martins YC, Doshi T, Bicket M, Zhang K, Hanna G, et al. Neuropathic pain medication use does not alter outcomes of spinal cord stimulation for lower extremity pain. Neuromodulation Technol Neural Interface [Internet]. 2018 Jan 1 [cited 2019 Jan 1];21(1):106–13. Available from: http://​doi.​wiley.​com/​10.​1111/​ner.​12697
63.
go back to reference Mondello E, Quattrone D, Cardia L, Bova G, Mallamace R, Barbagallo AA, et al. Cannabinoids and spinal cord stimulation for the treatment of failed back surgery syndrome refractory pain. J Pain Res [Internet]. 2018 [cited 2019 Jan 1];11:1761–7. Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30233233 Mondello E, Quattrone D, Cardia L, Bova G, Mallamace R, Barbagallo AA, et al. Cannabinoids and spinal cord stimulation for the treatment of failed back surgery syndrome refractory pain. J Pain Res [Internet]. 2018 [cited 2019 Jan 1];11:1761–7. Available from: http://​www.​ncbi.​nlm.​nih.​gov/​pubmed/​30233233
64.
go back to reference North RB, Kumar K, Wallace MS, Henderson JM, Shipley J, Hernandez J, Mekel-Bobrov N, Jaax KN. Spinal cord stimulation versus re-operation in patients with failed back surgery syndrome: an international multicenter randomized controlled trial (EVIDENCE study). Neuromodulation. 2011 Jul-Aug;14(4):330–5; discussion 335–6. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1525-1403.2011.00371.x. Epub 2011 Jul 7. PMID: 21992427. North RB, Kumar K, Wallace MS, Henderson JM, Shipley J, Hernandez J, Mekel-Bobrov N, Jaax KN. Spinal cord stimulation versus re-operation in patients with failed back surgery syndrome: an international multicenter randomized controlled trial (EVIDENCE study). Neuromodulation. 2011 Jul-Aug;14(4):330–5; discussion 335–6. https://​doi.​org/​10.​1111/​j.​1525-1403.​2011.​00371.​x. Epub 2011 Jul 7. PMID: 21992427.
65.
go back to reference Serpell M, Ratcliffe S, Hovorka J, Schofield M, Taylor L, Lauder H, Ehler E. A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel group study of THC/CBD spray in peripheral neuropathic pain treatment. Eur J Pain. 2014;18(7):999–1012.CrossRef Serpell M, Ratcliffe S, Hovorka J, Schofield M, Taylor L, Lauder H, Ehler E. A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel group study of THC/CBD spray in peripheral neuropathic pain treatment. Eur J Pain. 2014;18(7):999–1012.CrossRef
67.
go back to reference Odonkor CA, Orman S, Orhurhu V, Stone ME, Ahmed S. Spinal cord stimulation vs conventional therapies for the treatment of chronic low back and leg pain: a systematic review of health care resource utilization and outcomes in the last decade. Pain Med. 2019;20(12):2479–94.CrossRef Odonkor CA, Orman S, Orhurhu V, Stone ME, Ahmed S. Spinal cord stimulation vs conventional therapies for the treatment of chronic low back and leg pain: a systematic review of health care resource utilization and outcomes in the last decade. Pain Med. 2019;20(12):2479–94.CrossRef
69.
go back to reference Langford RM, Mares J, Novotna A, Vachova M, Novakova I, Notcutt W, Ratcliffe S. A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study of THC/CBD oromucosal spray in combination with the existing treatment regimen, in the relief of central neuropathic pain in patients with multiple sclerosis. J Neurol. 2013;260(4):984–97. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00415-012-6739-4 . (Epub 2012 Nov 21 PMID: 23180178).CrossRefPubMed Langford RM, Mares J, Novotna A, Vachova M, Novakova I, Notcutt W, Ratcliffe S. A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study of THC/CBD oromucosal spray in combination with the existing treatment regimen, in the relief of central neuropathic pain in patients with multiple sclerosis. J Neurol. 2013;260(4):984–97. https://​doi.​org/​10.​1007/​s00415-012-6739-4 . (Epub 2012 Nov 21 PMID: 23180178).CrossRefPubMed
70.
go back to reference • Reiman A, Welty M, Solomon P. Cannabis as a substitute for opioid-based pain medication: patient self-report. Cannabis Cannabinoid Res. 2017 Jun 1; 2(1):160–166. https://doi.org/10.1089/can.2017.0012. PMID: 28861516; PMCID: PMC5569620. Review of clinical outcomes where cannabis is offered as a viable substitute for pain treatment and as a medication assisted treatment for opioid dependence. • Reiman A, Welty M, Solomon P. Cannabis as a substitute for opioid-based pain medication: patient self-report. Cannabis Cannabinoid Res. 2017 Jun 1; 2(1):160–166. https://​doi.​org/​10.​1089/​can.​2017.​0012. PMID: 28861516; PMCID: PMC5569620. Review of clinical outcomes where cannabis is offered as a viable substitute for pain treatment and as a medication assisted treatment for opioid dependence.
Metadata
Title
Dorsal Column Stimulation and Cannabinoids in the Treatment of Chronic Nociceptive and Neuropathic Pain: a Review of the Clinical and Pre-clinical Data
Authors
Charles A. Odonkor
Tariq AlFarra
Peju Adekoya
Vwaire Orhurhu
Tomás Rodríguez
Emily Sottosanti
Alan D. Kaye
Publication date
01-02-2022
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Current Pain and Headache Reports / Issue 2/2022
Print ISSN: 1531-3433
Electronic ISSN: 1534-3081
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11916-022-01008-y

Other articles of this Issue 2/2022

Current Pain and Headache Reports 2/2022 Go to the issue

Regenerative Pain Medicine/Interventional Pain Medicine (EC Bradley, Section Editors)

Modulatory Effects of Stem Cells on Opioid Receptors and Neuroinflammation

Childhood and Adolescent Headache (SE Evers, Section Editor)

The Enigma of New Daily Persistent Headache: What Solutions for Pediatric Age?

Acute Pain Medicine (R Urman, Section Editor)

Gabapentinoid Use in Perioperative Care and Current Controversies