Must-Read Article of the Month
August 2025
“To Trial or Not to Trial Before Peripheral Nerve Stimulation for Chronic Pain: A Retrospective Multicenter Comparative Analysis of Temporary-to-Permanent and Direct-to-Permanent Implantation Approaches”
Puja C. Shah's summary: “This provocative and timely multicenter retrospective study dives into a hot topic in interventional pain: is the traditional peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) trial always necessary before permanent implantation? Comparing outcomes from temporary to permanent versus direct to permanent PNS implantation pathways, the authors reveal surprising insights on patient selection, success rates, and complication profiles. While trial periods have long been considered standard, this analysis suggests that skipping the trial in select patients may not compromise and could even streamline clinical outcomes. The study also highlights differences in resource use and patient experience, offering a fresh perspective on balancing procedural efficiency with individualized care. Pain specialists, fellows, and residents alike will find this article essential for understanding evolving best practices and reconsidering how trials fit into their treatment algorithms. The findings open the door for further prospective research and may influence future guidelines on PNS implantation strategies.”
Puja C. Shah, DO
July 2025
"This is a controversial, must-read editorial piece that provides an introspective analysis of the current challenges facing clinical research in interventional pain medicine and neuromodulation. Therefore, it is essential reading for all practitioners, particularly early-career physicians, fellows, and residents. The authors critically examine the pervasive influence of industry on research, highlighting how study designs are often manipulated to favor commercial interests and result in predictable outcomes or overestimations of therapeutic benefits. Furthermore, the piece addresses the complexities of interpreting marketing language and calls for a heightened awareness of significant alterations in study design. A key takeaway for future physician researchers, this article proposes valuable research ideas, offering specific examples of study design improvements and posing higher-level questions for investigation. In conclusion, it champions the core principles of patient-centered care, the pursuit of more significant and longer-term outcomes, and a commitment to evidence-based practices over profit-driven narratives."- Robin Mata, DO MPH