Sympathetic Therapy for the Treatment of Pain
DESCRIPTION
Sympathetic therapy involves the application of an electrical current to peripheral nerves. Systemic therapy targets the autonomic nervous system in an attempt to induce a systemic effect on sympathetically induced pain. Sympathetic therapy is being advocated for providing symptomatic relief of chronic pain, and/or management of post-traumatic or post-surgical pain.
Examples of sympathetic therapy delivery systems are the Dynatron® STS™ clinical device and the Dynatron® STS RX™ home unit.
POLICY
Sympathetic therapy for the treatment of pain is considered investigational.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The lack of randomized controlled trials and studies provide little evidence of the safety and efficacy to support the use of this technology.
SOURCES
BlueCross BlueShield Association. Medical Policy Reference Manual. (3:2008). Sympathetic therapy for the treatment of pain (1.04.03). Retrieved June 2, 2009 from BlueWeb. (3 articles and/or guidelines reviewed)
Guido, E. H. (2002). Effects of sympathetic therapy on chronic pain in peripheral neuropathy subjects. American Journal of Pain Management, 12 (1), 31-34. (Level 4 Evidence - Industry sponsored)
U. S. Food and Drug Administration. (2001, May). Center for Devices and Radiological Health. 510(k) Premarket Notification Database. K010565. Retrieved June 2, 2009 from http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/cdrh_docs/pdf/K010565.pdf.
ORIGINAL EFFECTIVE DATE: 6/1/2002
MOST RECENT REVIEW DATE: 7/9/2009
ID_BT
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This document has been classified as public information.