ABSTRACT

Background

Medication-assisted treatment can reduce mortality and withdrawal symptoms, yet treatments can have side effects and are cost ineffective. Research has supported alternative approaches to withdrawal symptoms, specifically percutaneous nerve field stimulator (PNFS); yet, to date, there is a lack of understanding of the initial acceptability within treatment programs.

Methods

A retrospective case series evaluated PNFS to reduce opioid withdrawal symptoms for five adult patients participating in an in-home withdrawal management program. The device was worn for five consecutive days, in which a licensed practical nurses monitored their care. Evaluation included the clinical opiate withdrawal scale (COWS) and clinical reviews based on self-report and clinician interview.

Results

Significant reductions were noted for all five participants, with the average COWS score for Day 1 at 19.1 reducing to 2.6 at Day 5. In addition, 2-day post-COWS scores demonstrated a continual reduction to 1.4. Qualitative feedback from the patients was recorded, and generalized themes were recorded and addressed.

Conclusions

Future controlled, prospective studies should investigate the possibility that PNFS can significantly reduce negative symptoms of opiate withdrawal symptoms, along with providing alternatives to medication-assisted treatments for those who are suffering from opiate use disorder.

中文翻译：

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经皮电神经场刺激以减少临床阿片类药物戒断：病例系列

摘要

背景

药物辅助治疗可以降低死亡率和戒断症状，​​但治疗可能有副作用并且成本低效。研究支持了戒断症状的替代方法，特别是经皮神经场刺激器（PNFS）；然而，迄今为止，人们对治疗方案的初始可接受性缺乏了解。

方法

一项回顾性病例系列评估了 PNFS 以减少参与家庭戒断管理计划的五名成年患者的阿片类药物戒断症状。该设备连续佩戴了五天，其中有执照的实用护士监控他们的护理。评估包括临床阿片类药物戒断量表（COWS）和基于自我报告和临床医生访谈的临床评价。

结果

所有五名参与者都注意到显着降低，第 1 天的平均 COWS 分数为 19.1，在第 5 天降至 2.6。此外，COWS 后 2 天的分数显示持续降低至 1.4。记录来自患者的定性反馈，并记录和解决一般性主题。

结论

未来的对照前瞻性研究应调查 PNFS 可显着减少阿片类药物戒断症状的负面症状的可能性，同时为患有阿片类药物使用障碍的人提供药物辅助治疗的替代方案。