Peripheral Nerve Stimulation Helps Relieve Occipital Nerve Pain

A 60-day peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) protocol targeting the occipital nerves resulted in durable pain relief and functional improvement in people with cervicogenic headache (CGH) and/or occipital neuralgia (ON), according to data presented at the 67th American Headache Society (AHS) Annual Scientific Meeting. Over 80% of participants experienced significant reductions in pain intensity or nerve interference that persisted 6 months posttreatment, demonstrating the potential utility of PNS as a nonpharmacologic intervention for occipital head pain.

The findings result from a prospective, single-arm, multicenter study, which included 20 adults with occipital head pain due to CGH or ON and Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) scores ≥4 points. Participants received percutaneous stimulation of the greater and third occipital nerves via leads placed near the C2 lamina, followed by 60 days of treatment and subsequent lead removal. Outcomes were assessed at end of treatment, 3 months, and 6 months. Primary end points were ≥50% reductions in pain intensity and/or nerve interference. Secondary measures included Patient Global Impression of Change (PGIC), Headache Impact Test (HIT-6), and Neck Disability Index (NDI) scores.

At the end of the 60-day treatment period:

• 85% (n=17) of participants reported a ≥50% reduction in average pain intensity and/or nerve interference

At 6 months follow-up (n=17):

• 82% (n=14) of participants reported a maintained ≥50% reduction in average pain intensity and/or nerve interference
• 76% (n=13) reported an improvement of ≥1 points in quality of life (PGIC)
• 59% (n=10) reported an improvement of ≥5 points in headache impact (HIT-6)
• 71% (n=12) reported an improvement of ≥5 points in neck disability (NDI)
• All adverse events were non-serious, including minor skin irritation and post-procedure discomfort