Effectiveness and Safety of Brachial Plexus Nerve Stimulation for Refractory Neuropathic Pain in the Upper Extremities: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: Peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) has emerged as a promising treatment for refractory neuropathic pain in the upper extremities, particularly for patients unresponsive to conventional therapies. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims specifically to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of nerve stimulation of the brachial plexus (BP) for managing chronic neuropathic pain in the upper extremities.

Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted following PRISMA guidelines across major databases, including PubMed, Scopus and Embase. Five studies met the inclusion criteria, encompassing a total of 157 patients with BP or other peripheral nerve injuries. The primary outcome measures included pain reduction and quality of life improvement, assessed through validated pain scales such as the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) and patient-reported outcomes.

Results: This meta-analysis demonstrated significant reductions in pain scores following BP nerve stimulation (MD: −4.88, 95% CI: −5.80 to −3.96, p < 0.05). Additionally, improvements in quality of life were observed, with over 30% enhancement in Short Form (SF)-36 scores. The overall complication rate was low, with only 9.2% of patients experiencing adverse events, such as lead migration or postoperative infection.

Conclusions: These findings suggest that PNS at the level of the BP is both a safe and effective intervention for the management of refractory neuropathic pain in the upper extremities.

Level of Evidence: Level IV (Therapeutic)