Overview
To evaluate the short-term analgesic efficacy of stSCS combined with pharmacotherapy compared with pharmacotherapy alone in patients with CPSP, measured by Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) score immediately after treatment.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria:
- Diagnosis of central post-stroke pain (CPSP) according to the International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) criteria
- Clear history of stroke confirmed by cranial CT or MRI
- Pain occurring after stroke and distributed in body parts corresponding to central nervous system injury
- Pain with neuropathic characteristics (e.g., burning sensation, electric shock sensation, needle prick sensation)
- Pain not explained by other causes
- Age ≥ 18 years
- Pain duration ≥ 3 months
- Baseline pain Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) score ≥ 4 points
- Complete clinical data with follow-up time ≥ 6 months
Exclusion Criteria:
- History of chronic pain before stroke
- Severe cognitive impairment that prevents cooperation with pain assessment (Mini-Mental State Examination, MMSE \< 15 points)
- Contraindications to spinal cord stimulation (SCS), such as coagulation disorders, active infections, or mental diseases that prevent cooperation
- Malignant tumors or other severe organic diseases with expected survival \< 1 year
