{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,22]],"date-time":"2026-09-22T20:11:55Z","timestamp":1790107915956,"version":"4.0.1"},"reference-count":47,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"13","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,23]],"date-time":"2026-06-23T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1782172800000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["JCM"],"abstract":"<jats:p>Background: Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is an established intervention for refractory chronic neuropathic pain, but response to trial stimulation and long-term benefit remain heterogeneous. Clinicians need practical tools to document patient-selection domains discussed in the neuromodulation literature without overstating the precision of currently available evidence. Methods: We conducted a narrative synthesis of randomized trials, cohort studies, registry analyses, systematic reviews, and consensus recommendations addressing SCS outcomes and candidate selection. The objective was not to derive or validate a multivariable prediction model, but to construct a transparent, bedside-oriented framework organizing clinically accessible domains relevant to SCS trial candidacy. Results: Six domains were incorporated into the proposed SCS Trial Success Score (STSS): primary indication, psychological status, smoking status, opioid burden, body mass index, and pain duration. The resulting 0 to 12 point score is presented as an evidence-informed clinical profile rather than a validated prognostic instrument. Three descriptive categories are proposed: more favorable profile, optimization-sensitive profile, and less favorable profile. These categories are intended to guide documentation, shared decision-making, and optimization of modifiable factors, not to determine eligibility automatically. Conclusions: Pending prospective validation, checklist-mode use is the preferred interim application of the STSS. The framework may support structured pre-trial assessment, identification of modifiable factors, and shared decision-making. It should not be used as a standalone numerical decision rule, to deny access to neuromodulation, or to replace multidisciplinary judgment. Prospective derivation, calibration, external validation, and decision-curve analysis are required before the STSS can be considered a clinical prediction rule.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/jcm15134849","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,24]],"date-time":"2026-06-24T03:09:17Z","timestamp":1782270557000},"page":"4849","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":1,"title":["The Spinal Cord Stimulation Trial Success Score (STSS): A Narrative Review and Evidence-Informed Conceptual Framework for Structured Candidate Assessment"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"15","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-8968-0978","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Jakub","family":"Wi\u015bniewski","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Neurosurgery, Nicolaus Copernicus Hospital, 80-803 Gda\u0144sk, Poland"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0009-3094-2385","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Mateusz","family":"Szczupak","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Therapy, Nicolaus Copernicus Hospital, 80-803 Gdansk, Poland"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-1671-2163","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Pawe\u0142 Jan","family":"Winklewski","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Neurophysiology, Neuropsychology and Neuroinformatics, Medical University of Gdansk, 80-210 Gdansk, Poland"},{"name":"2nd Department of Radiology, Medical University of Gdansk, 80-210 Gdansk, Poland"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-8331-208X","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Anna Barbara","family":"Marcinkowska","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Neurosurgery, Nicolaus Copernicus Hospital, 80-803 Gda\u0144sk, Poland"},{"name":"Department of Neurophysiology, Neuropsychology and Neuroinformatics, Medical University of Gdansk, 80-210 Gdansk, Poland"},{"name":"2nd Department of Radiology, Medical University of Gdansk, 80-210 Gdansk, Poland"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,23]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"515","DOI":"10.1111\/ner.12208","article-title":"The Appropriate Use of Neurostimulation of the Spinal Cord and Peripheral Nervous System for the Treatment of Chronic Pain and Ischemic Diseases: The Neuromodulation Appropriateness Consensus Committee","volume":"17","author":"Deer","year":"2014","journal-title":"Neuromodulation"},{"key":"ref_2","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"179","DOI":"10.1016\/j.pain.2007.07.028","article-title":"Spinal Cord Stimulation versus Conventional Medical Management for Neuropathic Pain: A Multicentre Randomised Controlled Trial in Patients with Failed Back Surgery Syndrome","volume":"132","author":"Kumar","year":"2007","journal-title":"Pain"},{"key":"ref_3","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"98","DOI":"10.1227\/01.NEU.0000144839.65524.E0","article-title":"Spinal Cord Stimulation versus Repeated Lumbosacral Spine Surgery for Chronic Pain: A Randomized, Controlled Trial","volume":"56","author":"North","year":"2005","journal-title":"Neurosurgery"},{"key":"ref_4","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"618","DOI":"10.1056\/NEJM200008313430904","article-title":"Spinal Cord Stimulation in Patients with Chronic Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy","volume":"343","author":"Kemler","year":"2000","journal-title":"N. 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