Project overview
In this prospective, multicenter cohort study, the aim is to evaluate the effectiveness of differential target multiplexed spinal cord stimulation for the treatment of chronic back and leg pain. Identification of clinical effective parameters concerning frequency, pulse duration, amplitude and battery consumption/recharge frequency and safety evaluation will also be performed. In total, 250 patients with chronic low back and leg pain due to Persistent Spinal Pain Syndrome Type II will be included.
The study is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov under number NCT05068011.
Outcome measurements
Effectiveness endpoints
- Overall pain, defined as a combination of back and leg pain (but not pain from other body parts), measured with the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS).
- Leg pain intensity
- Back pain intensity
- Disability
- Medication use
- Quality of life
- Patient global impression of change
- Clinical holistic responder status
- Patient activation measure-13 (PAM)
- Pain catastrophizing
- Symptoms of central sensitization
- Anxiety and Depression
- Work status
- Healthcare utilisation
- Time spent in seven body postures
Safety
- (Serious) Adverse Events
Feasibility
- Proportion of successful DTM trials
- Battery consumption / recharge frequency
- Prevalence of technical issues with regard to DTM SCS programming
- DTM stimulation parameters
Publications
Protocol paper of the DETECT study: read here.
Participating centra
- UZ Brussel
- UZ Leuven
- AZ Delta
- AZ Turnhout
- Vitaz
- Jessa Ziekenhuis
- AZ Sint-Maarten
- ZNA
- GZA campus Sint-Augustinus
- Heilig Hart Algemeen Ziekenhuis Lier
- MPC Brugge (AZ Sint-Jan Bugge-Oostende / AZ Sint-Lucas Brugge)
- AZ Groeninge
Number of included patients
On behalf of the entire STIMULUS team, we would like to wish you all the best for 2026!
As we move further into 2026, we would like to thank you once again for your continued engagement in the DETECT study. With recruitment successfully completed in 2025, we have now fully transitioned into the follow-up and analysis phase of the project.
Follow-up visits are progressing steadily, and we are pleased to see a growing number of participants completing their scheduled assessments. Your continued support of patients during this phase remains crucial, as complete and high-quality follow-up data will directly determine the scientific impact of the study.
In parallel, baseline data cleaning has been finalised and preparations for the first analyses are well underway. We are pleased to share that during the course of this year, we anticipate submitting the first scientific papers from the DETECT study. We very much look forward to sharing these milestones with you as the results become available.
As always, should you encounter any issues during follow-up or have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out.
