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Mechanism of Action of Peripheral Nerve Stimulation

Current Pain and Headache Reports volume 25, Article number: 47 (2021) Cite this article

Abstract

Purpose of Review

The number of applications for peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) in the pain management field is ever-growing. With the increasing number of clinical applications for peripheral nerve stimulation, the purpose of this article is to review the mechanism of action surrounding PNS, the recent literature from January 2018 to January 2021, and pertinent clinical outcomes.

Recent Findings

The authors searched articles identified from PubMed (January 2018–January 2021), Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases (January 2018–January 2021), and Scopus (January 2018–January 2021) databases, and manually searched references of identified publications. Broad MeSH terms and Boolean operators were queried in each search, including the following terms and their respective synonyms: peripheral nerve stimulation, mechanism of action, biochemical pathway, and pain pathway. 15 consensus articles were selected for in-depth review and inclusion for qualitative analysis.

Summary

PNS may activate and modulate higher central nervous system (CNS) centers, including the dorsal lateral prefrontal cortex, somatosensory cortex, anterior cingulate cortex, and parahippocampal areas. Neuromodulatory effects from PNS may also extend into the spinal columns. Also, PNS may lead to changes in endogenous neurotransmitters and affect the plasticity of NMDA pathways.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anesthesiology, Mayo Clinic Arizona, 5777 East Mayo Boulevard, Phoenix, AZ, 85054, USA

    Natalie H. Strand, Christopher Wie, John Freeman & Jillian Maloney

  2. Department of Anesthesiology, Mayo Clinic Minnesota, Rochester, MN, USA

    Ryan D’Souza

  3. Department of Physician Medicine and Rehabilitation, Mayo Clinic Minnesota, Rochester, MN, USA

    Stephen Covington

  4. Department of Anesthesiology, University of Texas Health Sciences Center San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA

    Moustafa Maita

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  1. Natalie H. Strand
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Correspondence to Natalie H. Strand.

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Christopher Wie, Jillian Maloney, Stephen Covington, John Freeman, and Ryan D’Souza declare no conflict of interest. Natalie Strand has consulted for Abbott Neuromodulation which is not listed as a vendor in this paper.

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Strand, N.H., D’Souza, R., Wie, C. et al. Mechanism of Action of Peripheral Nerve Stimulation. Curr Pain Headache Rep 25, 47 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11916-021-00962-3

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Keywords

  • Peripheral nerve stimulation
  • Neuromodulation
  • Chronic pain