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Mechanism of Action of Temporary Peripheral Nerve Stimulation

  • Chronic Pain Management (O Viswanath, Section Editor)
  • Published:
Current Pain and Headache Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose of Review

Peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) refers to the technique of utilizing electrical stimulation of peripheral nerves to inhibit the transmission of pain signals. PNS is used to treat chronic intractable pain and post-surgical or post-traumatic pain alongside a variety of other pain conditions, including headaches, facial pain, pelvic and urogenital pain, chest wall pain, residual limb or phantom limb pain, and back pain.

Recent Findings

More recently, PNS has been used temporarily for periods of time less than 60 days to treat acute post-surgical pain. Peripheral nerve stimulation is believed to be effective due to its effects on both central and peripheral pathways.

Summary

Centrally, it is proposed that the electrical pulses of PNS inhibit alpha-delta and C fibers, which decreases pain signaling in the higher centers of the central nervous system. Peripherally, gate theory is applied as it is theorized that PNS downregulates inflammatory mediators, endorphins, and neurotransmitters associated with pain signaling to decrease the transmission of efferent nociception and reduce pain sensations.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Management, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA

    Alaa Abd-Elsayed

  2. Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine, 5777 E. Mayo Blvd, Phoenix, AZ, 85054, USA

    Sumedha Attanti & Meredith Anderson

  3. Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Mayo Clinic Arizona, Phoenix, AZ, USA

    Tyler Dunn, Jillian Maloney & Natalie Strand

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  1. Alaa Abd-Elsayed
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All authors contributed equally to the work of the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Natalie Strand.

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Abd-Elsayed, A., Attanti, S., Anderson, M. et al. Mechanism of Action of Temporary Peripheral Nerve Stimulation. Curr Pain Headache Rep (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11916-023-01184-5

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