A Comparative Study of Caudal Epidural Stimulation Versus Peripheral Nerve Stimulation for Pain Relief and Functional Recovery in Patients with Peripheral Neuropathy

Background: Neuromodulation alters nerve activity by implanted electrodes that provide regulated electrical pulses, with adjustable parameters including the width, frequency, and amplitude of the pulse.Aim: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of caudal epidural analgesia compared to peripheral nerve stimulation for alleviation of pain and paresthesia.Patients and Method: A clinical therapeutic interventional trial study was undertaken between January and December 2024. The study registered 80 patients who were diagnosed with dibatic peripheral neuropathy were enrolled in the current study. Those patients were categorized into two groups: Group A comprised 40 patients receiving caudal epidural stimulation treatment; Group B comprised 40 patients receiving peripheral nerve stimulation treatment.Results: In both groups, there was a significant number of patients who got sensory improvement after intervention. In both groups, there was significant pain improvement as revealed by the visual analogue scale (P-values were 0.001 for both). After the second session, the patients in group A had a significantly higher improvement in sensation (P-value=0.023), paresthesia (P-value=0.033), and pain (P-value=0.007) than patients in group B.Conclusion: Both caudal epidural nerve stimulation and peripheral nerve stimulation are safe and active approaches in the treatment of peripheral neuropathy but caudal epidural nerve stimulation is more effective regarding sensory sensation, paresthesia, and pain sensation than peripheral nerve stimulation.