Evaluation of Alexithymia in Chronic Pain Patients With Spinal Cord Stimulation

Condition(s) studied

Investigational drug(s) / intervention(s)

Psychometric Questionnaires and Retrospective Data Collection: Participants are evaluated at a single time point using self-report questionnaires including the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Short Form Health Survey (SF-12), and Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ-33). Pain intensity (VAS/NRS) and clinical data are extracted retrospectively from medical records.

Study summary

The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between alexithymia levels and clinical parameters, including pain intensity and quality of life, in chronic pain patients treated with spinal cord stimulation (SCS). Chronic neuropathic pain can lead to psychological distress and decreased quality of life. While SCS is an effective neuromodulation therapy for managing refractory pain, patient outcomes vary significantly, suggesting that biomedically similar patients experience different levels of relief due to psychosocial factors.

Alexithymia, characterized by difficulties in identifying and describing emotions, may significantly influence the individual pain experience and treatment outcomes. In this cross-sectional observational study, patients who underwent SCS implantation for clinical indications will be evaluated. Clinical data regarding pain history will be collected retrospectively from patient files, while psychosocial profiles will be assessed at a single time point using validated psychometric questionnaires. The study aims to contribute to a better understanding of psychosocial variables in neuromodulation outcomes, potentially aiding in improved patient selection and expectation management.

Eligibility

Primary outcome measure(s)

• Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20) Score — Baseline
  A 20-item self-report questionnaire used to assess alexithymia levels. It evaluates three subscales: difficulty identifying feelings, difficulty describing feelings, and externally-oriented thinking. Total scores range from 20 to 100, with higher scores indicating higher levels of alexithymia.

Trial sites (1)

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