Psychological Evaluation After SCS Implantation

Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is a therapeutic option for patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP) syndrome, when pharmacological, psychological, physical and occupational therapies or surgery fail to reduce symptoms. CLBP is a common disease with several negative consequences on the quality of life, work and activity ability and increased costs to the health-care system. We have therefore designed this observational study to assess global cognitive functioning in three different groups of patients: patients with chronic pain undergoing intervention (experimental group), patients with chronic pain following traditional therapies (comparison group) and healthy participants matched for age and schooling (healthy subjects).A neuropsychological assessment battery designed to assess global cognitive functioning, behavioral symptomatology, metacognition, quality of life, interoception, pain perception, self-efficacy, and coping styles will be conducted.

Inclusion Criteria:age greater than 18 yearspresence of chronic pain treated with spinal cord stimulation (Experimental Group)presence of chronic pain receiving standard therapies (Comparison Group)healthy participants matched for age and schooling (Control Group).Exclusion Criteria:consent denied