Short-term peripheral nerve stimulation for pain relief in adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
In brief
Short-term nerve stimulation reduced pain during treatment, but not after removal
Across eight randomized trials involving 543 adults, short-term peripheral nerve stimulation reduced average pain during the first 8 weeks, while electrodes were implanted. Average pain was not significantly lower after removal, although pain interference improved at some later time points. The findings are preliminary, and benefits varied between sham-controlled and usual-care trials and between acute and chronic pain.
- Journal
- Journal of clinical anesthesia (Q1)
- Published
- 29 October 2026
- Study design
- Systematic review / meta-analysis of RCTs
- Evidence level
- Level 1, High (CEBM 1a)
- Authors
- Wentao Bai, Chi Wai Cheung, Yuchang Bao, Zhiying Feng, Xiang Liao, Hung Chak Ho
- PMID
- 42956497
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.jclinane.2026.112352
Why clinicians should know about it
- Picked for Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine (top studies of the week, 1 November 2026): Randomized-trial synthesis of peripheral nerve stimulation for pain
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Short-term peripheral nerve stimulation serves as a neuromodulation therapy that modulates neural activity to provide therapeutic benefit, particularly pain relief. This study investigated the effectiveness of short-term peripheral nerve stimulation as a minimally invasive approach for achieving pain relief. METHODS: We systematically searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar from database inception till September 10, 2026, for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in adults comparing short-term peripheral nerve stimulation with sham stimulation or usual care. The primary outcome was the change in average pain intensity during the implantation period. RESULTS: Eight RCTs (543 participants) were included. Compared with the control group, the intervention group showed significant reductions in average pain intensity during the implantation period at 1-4 weeks (SMD = -0.48, 95% CI = -0.71 to -0.26, P < 0.0001) and 5-8 weeks (SMD = -0.96, 95% CI = -1.22 to -0.70, P < 0.0001), but no significant result after electrode removal. For worst pain intensity, the intervention group showed a greater reduction than the control group at all time periods except 1-4 weeks after EOT. Improvements in pain interference were delayed, becoming significant at 5-8 weeks during the implantation period (MD = -1.34, 95% CI = -1.86 to -0.82, P < 0.00001) and ≥8 weeks after the end of treatment (MD = -1.09, 95%CI = -1.69 to -0.50, P = 0.0003). Subgroup analyses showed improvements in postoperative pain. The usual care-controlled subgroup showed more pronounced and sustained benefits than the sham-controlled subgroup, and the chronic pain subgroup also showed more pronounced and sustained benefits compared to the acute/subacute pain subgroup. CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis provided preliminary evidence that short-term peripheral nerve stimulation may relieve pain during the implantation period, but not all outcomes suggest sustained improvements after electrode removal. REGISTRATION PROSPERO: CRD420251243978.
Abstract as published, via PubMed.
For healthcare professionals. The summary is generated by AI from the published abstract, and the evidence level is assigned automatically from the study design on the Oxford CEBM hierarchy. Neither is medical advice. Read the full paper before changing practice.