Data have been published for 10 non-randomized prospective studies using various measures of success:

• Six studies reported the proportion of patients with significant improvements in pain, using the VAS, SF-36, and other validated instruments. Results ranged from 45% to 67% of patients.
• Four studies included measures of patient satisfaction. The proportion of patients who said they would have the same procedure again for the same result ranged from 63%-88%.
• Transient complications—none serious— were reported in 3 studies.

Proven Reduction in Pain

Proven Increase in Functioning

In a multicenter study of 78 patients, the IDET procedure was shown to significantly reduce pain and significantly improve physical function in patients observed 24 months after the treatment ¹.

Studies discussed here have been grouped into two major divisions:

• Prospective Studies with ≥ Two Years of Follow-up
• Prospective Studies with ≤ Two Years of Follow-up

¹ Wetzel FT, Andersson GBJ, Peloza JH, Rashbaum RF, Lee CK, Yuan HA, Phillips FM, An HS. Intradiscal electrothermal therapy (IDET) to treat discogenic low back pain: two year results of a multi-center prospective cohort study. Presented at the 16th Annual Meeting of the North American Spine Society. November 2001. Abstract.