Evaluating Composite Outcome Measures for Assessing Efficacy of Spinal Cord Stimulation for Pain: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Saturday, November 15, 2025

7:48 AM - 7:56 AM CT

Location: Griffin Hall

Introduction: Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is an established treatment for chronic refractory pain. However, outcome assessments often rely on unidimensional tools like pain scores, which may not capture the biopsychosocial impact of pain (1). Instead, composite outcome scores integrating multiple pain domains may provide a more holistic evaluation. This study evaluated whether composite scores integrating the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS), EuroQoL-5-Dimension Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) could distinguish SCS responders from non-responders.

Submitting Author(s)

OC

Olivia S. Chung, BHSc

Medical student
University of Toronto
North York, Ontario, Canada

Co-Author(s)

GG

Gretchen M. Gabriel, MD

Clinical Fellow
University of Toronto, United States
AA

Abeer Alomari, MD

Assistant Professor
University of Toronto, United States
DA

Danielle Alvares, PHD

Research Coordinator
University Health Network- Toronto Western Hospital, United States
AB

Anuj Bhatia, MBBS MD PhD FRCPC

Professor, University of Toronto
University Health Network- Toronto Western Hospital
Toronto, Ontario, Canada