Keywords
electrical stimulation - direct current - pulsed electromagnetic field - capacitive
coupling - fusion - lumbar spine
Study Rationale and Context
Degenerative spinal conditions can lead to pain and neurologic symptoms. Patients
who do not respond to nonoperative treatment often undergo spinal fusion. The lack
of significant bone formation resulting in nonunion of the treated spinal segments,
known as a pseudoarthrosis, is a potential long-term complication of a spinal fusion
procedure. Although application of rigid instrumentation, such as the pedicle screw-rod
construct, has increased fusion rates, pseudoarthrosis still occurs and has been shown
to be the cause of persistent or recurrent pain and disability.[1]
[2] Revision surgery is often recommended for these symptomatic cases of nonfusion and
incidence is not insignificant as pseudoarthrosis is one of the most common indications
for repeat surgery.[3] Consequently, other measures including the use of biologics such as bone morphogenetic
proteins or mesenchymal stem cell enriched allograft has been used to further increase
the rate of bony union. Electrical stimulation has been suggested as an alternative
means for increasing the fusion rate. However, the mechanism and efficacy of electrical
stimulation remain unclear. The purpose of this systematic review is to evaluate the
various types of stimulation and determine whether electrical stimulation induces
bone fusion.
Clinical Question
Compared with no stimulation, does electrical stimulation promote bone fusion after
lumbar spinal fusion procedures? Does the effect differ based on the type of electrical
stimulation used (direct current [DC], pulsed electromagnetic field [PEMF], capacitive
coupling [CC])?
Materials and Methods
Study design: Systematic review.
Search: The databases included PubMed, Cochrane collaboration database, and National Guideline
Clearinghouse databases; bibliographies of key articles.
Dates searched: The data were searched from January 1980 to October 15, 2013.
Inclusion criteria: (1) Adults, (2) degenerative disease of the lumbar spine, (3) lumbar spinal fusion
(any type/approach) with or without instrumentation, (4) comparison of electrical
stimulation (including DC, PEMF, and CC) as an adjunctive treatment versus no stimulation,
(5) randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published in English in peer-reviewed journals.
Exclusion criteria: (1) Pediatric patients, (2) cancer, trauma, inflammatory arthritis, or osteoporosis
as indication for fusion procedure, (3) treatment of the cervical or thoracic spine,
(4) use of biologics, (5) animal studies, (6) noncomparative studies (i.e., case series,
case reports).
Outcomes: Proportion of patients achieving bony fusion.
Analysis: Descriptive statistics. Due to heterogeneity in study populations (including differences
in the use of a placebo device, method of fusion assessment, definition of fusion,
follow-up length, treatment indications, patient demographics, fusion procedure type/approach,
and fusion graft materials), a meta-analysis was not performed.
Overall strength of evidence: Risk of bias for individual studies was based on using criteria set by The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery
[4] modified to delineate criteria associated with methodological quality and risk of
bias based on recommendation from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.[5]
[6] The overall strength of evidence across studies was based on precepts outlined by
the Grades of Recommendation Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) Working
Group[7] and recommendations made by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ).[5]
[6]
Details about methods can be found in the online supplementary material.
Results
-
We identified six RCTs, all rated level of evidence (LoE) II, which met the inclusion
criteria and form the basis for this report ([Fig. 1]). Further details on the LoE rating for these studies as well as a list of excluded
studies can be found in the online supplementary material.
-
Three studies compared DC stimulation to no stimulation,[8]
[9]
[10] with only one study using a placebo device (i.e., an inactive stimulator) in the
control group; three compared PEMF stimulation to no stimulation,[9]
[11]
[12] with two employing placebo devices, and one study compared CC to no stimulation
using placebo devices.[13] Marked heterogeneity was present across the studies ([Table 1]).
Fig. 1 Flow chart showing results of literature search.
Table 1
Characteristics of included studies
Author (y)
Study design (LoE)
|
Demographics
|
Diagnosis
|
Fusion procedure
|
Definition of fusion outcome[a]
|
Follow-up
|
Funding/conflicts of interest
|
Anderson (2009)
RCT (II)
|
DC stimulation
N = 53
Mean age: 69.3 y (range, 59–80)
Male: 37.7%
Control (placebo)
N = 42
Mean age: 71.5 y (range, 59–84)
Male: 31.0%
|
• Spinal stenosis
• Stenosis and degenerative spondylolisthesis
• DDD
• Stenosis and degenerative scoliosis
|
• Posterolateral spinal fusion
• Allograft
• 1–4 levels
|
• Fusion = continuous bony bridge either between the transverse process or at the
lateral side of the facet joints on at least one side or a bilateral fusion of the
facet joints (and fusion had to be achieved on all intended levels)
• Doubtful fusion = unilateral facet joint fusion, questionable bilateral facet fusion,
or possible presence of a cleft in the bony bridge
• Nonunion = clearly definable cleft in the bony bridge, question fusion in one facet
joint and none in the contralateral, or with resorption of most of the fusion mass
|
24 mo
DC: 90.6% (48/53)
Placebo: 85.7% (36/42)
|
Corporate/industry and federal funds were received in support of this work; no benefits
in any form have been or will be received from a commercial party related directly
or indirectly to the subject of this article
|
Goodwin (1999)
RCT (II)
|
CC stimulation
N = 85
Mean age: 45 y (range, 21–76)
Male: 56.5%
Control (placebo)
N = 94
Mean age: 40 y (range, 22–73)
Male: 52.1%
|
• DDD
• Herniated disc
• Spondylolisthesis
• Degenerative arthritis
|
• Primary PLIF, ALIF, posterolateral fusion
• Autograft, allograft, or autograft and allograft
• Any type of internal fixation except interbody fusion cages
• 1–2 levels
|
• Posterolateral:
○ Fusion = presence of mature appearing, uninterrupted bony masses bilaterally at
the fusion levels, ideally on both anteroposterior and lateral radiographs. If orthopedic
hardware present, there could not be any lucency or motion around the screws
○ Incomplete fusion = immature-appearing bone mass on either side, lack of a bone
mass on one side, or lack on continuity in the bone mass on either side. Any evidence
of motion or lucency around internal fixation hardware was also a sign of incomplete
fusion
○ Nonunion (absence of fusion mass) = complete resorption of the graft
• Interbody:
○ Success = > 75% assimilation of graft and vertebrae or 50–75% assimilation of graft
and vertebrae
- Failure = 25–50% assimilation of graft and vertebrae or < 25% assimilation of graft
and vertebrae
|
12 mo
Overall: 53.1% (179/337)
|
Biolectron assisted in study design and analysis support
|
Jenis (2000)
RCT (II)
|
PEMF stimulation
N = 22
Mean age: 53.0 ± 11.1 y
Male: 50.0%
DC stimulation
N = 17
Mean age: 51.0 ± 15.1 y
Male: 41.2%
Control (no placebo)
N = 22
Mean age: 47.1 ± 13.5 y
Male: 63.6%
|
• NR
|
• Primary or revision lumbar or lumbosacral posterolateral fusion
• Iliac crest autograft
• Pedicle screw-rod instrumentation
• 1, 2, or > 2 levels
|
• Solid fusion = trabecular bridging bone
• Possible pseudoarthrosis = lucencies within the fusion mass
• Obvious pseudoarthrosis = clefts within the fusion mass and discontinuity between
the transverse processes
|
12 mo
(% NR)
|
NR
|
Kane (1988)
RCT (II)
|
DC stimulation
N = 31
Mean age: NR
Male: NR
Control (no placebo)
N = 28
Mean age: NR
Male: NR
|
Difficult spinal fusions:
• 1 + previous failed spinal fusion(s)
• Grade II or worse spondylolisthesis
• Extensive bone grafting necessary for a multiple level fusion
• Other high risk factors for failure of fusion, including gross obesity
|
• Posterolateral fusion
|
• NR
|
18 mo
Overall: 93.7% (59/63)
|
NR
|
Linovitz (2002)
RCT (II)
|
PEMF stimulation
N = 125
Mean age: 56.8 ± 15.5 y
Male: 40.8%
Control (placebo)
N = 118
Mean age: 56.6 ± 15.0 y
Male: 36.4%
|
• DDD
• Instability
• Spondylolisthesis
• Spinal stenosis
• Miscellaneous
|
• Primary posterolateral fusion
• Autograft ± allograft
• No instrumentation
• 1–2 levels
|
• Grades:
○ Three, solid fusion = extensive continuity (≥ 75–100%) of the fusion mass without
motion
○ Two, moderate fusion = continuity (≥ 50 to < 75%) of the fusion mass without motion
○ One, minimal fusion = a narrow band of continuity (≥ 25 to < 50%) in the fusion
mass with motion
○ Zero, no fusion = discontinuity (0 to < 25%) of the fusion mass with motion
• Definitions (when two levels involved, the lowest grade at either level used)
○ Fusion = grades 2 and 3 (continuity of ≥ 50% of the fusion mass without motion)
○ Nonunion = grades 0 and 1 (continuity of 0 to < 50% of the fusion mass with motion)
|
9 mo
PEMF: 83.2% (104/125)
Placebo: 82.2% (97/118)
|
Corporate/industry funds were received to support this work. One or more of the author(s)
has/have received or will receive benefits for personal or professional use from a
commercial party related directly or indirectly to the subject of this article
|
Mooney (1990)
RCT (II)
|
PEMF stimulation
N = 107
Mean age: 37.9 y
Male: 55.1%
Control (placebo)
N = 99
Mean age: 37.6 y
Male: 52.5%
|
• Internal disc disruption
• HNP
• DDD
• Spondylolisthesis
• Stenosis
• Failed fusion
• Other
|
• Primary ALIF or PLIF
• Autograft, allograft, or autograft and allograft
• With or without internal fixation
• 1–2 levels
|
• Fusion = > 50% assimilated (in two-segment fusion, both levels had be graded as
solidly fused)
• Nonunion = NR
|
12 mo
PEMF: 91.6% (98/107)
Placebo: 98.0% (97/99)
|
NR
|
Abbreviations: ALIF, anterior lumbar interbody fusion; CC, capacitive coupling; DC,
direct current; DDD, degenerative disc disease; HNP, herniated nucleus pulpous; LoE,
level of evidence; NR, not reported; PEMF, pulsed electromagnetic field; PLIF, posterior
lumbar interbody fusion; RCT, randomized controlled trial.
a Fusion was assessed via radiograph in four studies (Goodwin 1999, Jenis 2000, Kane
1988, and Mooney 1990) and via computed tomography in two studies (Andersen 2009 and
Linovitz 2002).
Fusion: Any Electrical Stimulation
-
• Regardless of the type of electrical stimulation used, the proportion of patients
achieving bony fusion across all six RCTs varied, ranging from 35.4 to 90.6% compared
with 33.3 to 81.9% in the control groups across 9 to 24 months of follow-up[8]
[9]
[10]
[11]
[12]
[13] ([Fig. 2]).
Fig. 2 Proportion of patients that achieved solid fusion in the intervention (electrical
stimulation) and the control (placebo/no stimulation)* groups following lumbar spinal
fusion procedures†. CC, capacitive coupling; DC, direct current; PEMF, pulsed electromagnetic field.
*The following RCTs used a placebo device in the control group: Anderson 2009, Goodwin
1999, Linovitz 2002, and Mooney 1990. †Marked heterogeneity in study population and design was present across the six RCTs.
Anderson 2009: Elderly population (mean age 70 years); industry sponsored/funded; random sequence
generation not reported; no intention-to-treat analysis; did not control for possible
confounding factors. Goodwin 1999: Industry sponsored/funded; random sequence generation and statement of concealed
allocation not reported; no intention-to treat analysis; unclear if cointerventions
were applied equally; < 80% of patients followed. Jenis 2000: patient diagnoses not reported; funding/conflicts of interest not reported; statement
of concealed allocation not reported; no intention-to-treat analysis; < 80% of patients
followed; did not control for possible confounding factors. Kane 1988: Age and % male not reported; difficult spinal fusions; no definition of fusion outcome
provided; funding/conflicts of interest not reported; statement of concealed allocation
not reported; no intention-to-treat analysis; unclear if cointervention were applied
equally. Linovitz 2002: Industry sponsored/funded; statement of concealed allocation not reported. Mooney 1990: Younger population (mean age 38 years); random sequence generation and statement
of concealed allocation not reported; no intention-to-treat analysis; unclear if cointervention
were applied equally. ‡These studies did not report p values; p values were calculated by this article's
authors using the STATA software program.
Fusion: Type of Electrical Stimulation
Direct Current Stimulation
Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Stimulation
-
• Cumulative incidences of fusion following PEMF stimulation compared with no stimulation
varied across three RCTS, ranging from 64.4 to 82.7% and from 43.3 to 81.0%, respectively,
over follow-up periods ranging from 9 to 12 months[9]
[11]
[12] ([Fig. 2]).
Capacitive Coupling Stimulation
Clinical Guidelines
One clinical guideline, produced by the American Association of Neurological Surgeons/Congress
of Neurological Surgeons (AANS/CNS) Joint Section on Disorders of the Spine and Peripheral
Nerves, was found that reviewed the evidence for the efficacy of bone growth stimulators
as adjuncts for bone fusion following fusion surgery for degenerative disease of the
lumbar spine.[14] The authors concluded that there is insufficient evidence to recommend a treatment
standard. These guidelines were based on evidence from four RCTs, three cohort studies,
and two case series.
Evidence Summary
The overall strength of evidence evaluating the efficacy of electrical stimulation
as an adjunctive treatment to promote bone fusion after lumbar spinal fusion procedures
compared with no stimulation is low ([Table 2]); that is, we have low confidence that evidence reflects the true effect and further
research is likely to change the confidence in the estimate of effect and likely to
change the estimate. With respect to DC stimulation, PEMF stimulation, and CC stimulation
considered separately, the overall strength of evidence for each remains low.
Table 2
Evidence summary
Outcomes
|
Strength of evidence
|
Conclusions/comments
|
Compared with no stimulation, does electrical stimulation promote bone fusion after
lumbar spinal fusion procedures?
|
Fusion: Any electrical stimulation
|
|
• Cumulative incidences of fusion varied across six RCTs, ranging from 35.4 to 90.6%
in the electrical stimulation groups compared with 33.3 to 81.9% in the control groups
across 9 to 24 mo of follow-up.
|
Does the effect on fusion differ based on the type of electrical stimulation used
(direct current, pulsed electromagnetic field, capacitive coupling)?
|
Fusion: DC stimulation
|
|
• Individual study results varied (three RCTs). Compared with controls, DC stimulation
resulted in better fusion outcomes in one study, worse fusion outcomes in a second
study, and similar fusion outcomes in the third study.
|
Fusion: PEMF stimulation
|
|
• Individual study results varied (three RCTs). Two trials reported better fusion
results following PEMF stimulation compared with control, while the third reported
poorer fusion results in the intervention group.
|
Fusion: CC stimulation
|
|
• One RCT investigated CC stimulation and reported a similar proportion of patients
achieving fusion at 12 mo between the intervention and control groups.
|
Abbreviations: CC, capacitive coupling; DC, direct current; PEMF, pulse electromagnetic
field; RCT, randomized controlled trial.