Psychological protocol for evaluation of candidates a neurostimulator

Abstract

This review article describes the Psychological Protocol for the evaluation of candidates for neuromodulation implant to be held in the Multidisciplinary Pain Treatment Unit at the University and Polytechnic Hospital “La Fe”, in Valencia. Data on cognitive, emotional and sensory factors are collected. An initial opinion is made: positive, negative or partly negative. Patients with positive opinion make a therapy and highly structured group Preparation form, accompanied by a collaborator already implanted in this Unity. In this therapy, aspects of pathophysiology of pain, psychological aspects of pain and technical issues are addressed. It impinges on all beliefs and expectations of the patient on the implant and proceeds to the second part, the Surgical Protocol, and to include in the operating room list. The protocol presented is proving to be a valuable tool to discriminate eligible patients, being particularly important psychological preparation.