Program Leverages Clinical Expertise Aimed to Improve Access to Appropriate Assessment for Use of Neuromodulation for Chronic Pain

Friday, November 14, 2025

4:39 PM - 4:47 PM CT

Location: 301 - 302

Introduction:

Pain prevalence in U.S. Military Veterans is increasing for multiple pain categories (Taylor et al, 2024). Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) offers pain relief in certain pain conditions. Specialized physician and psychologist assessments are necessary to properly identify patients who are likely to benefit from SCS (Deer et al., 2024). However, in 2024, approximately one-third of Veterans who received SCS trials in Veterans Healthcare Administration (VHA)-paid Community Care did not receive the recommended pre-trial psychological evaluation.

Submitting Author(s)

SB

Sherry L. Ball, PhD

Research Health Scientist
VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System
Cleveland, Ohio, United States

Presenting Author(s)

RS

Radinka Samardzic, PhD

Pain Psychologist
VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System, United States

Co-Author(s)

KM

Kelly Martincin, PhD

Pain Psychologist
VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System, United States
JG

Joshua Goldner, MD

Pain Physician
VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System, United States
ZZ

Zachary Zumbar, MD

Pain Physician
VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System, United States
EV

Elias Veizi, MD, PhD

Chief of Pain Management
VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System, United States