Burst Stimulation
Stimulation pattern delivering clusters of high-frequency pulses designed to mimic natural neural firing.
Full Definition
Burst stimulation is a neuromodulation paradigm that delivers stimulation in packets or 'bursts' of high-frequency pulses rather than continuous single pulses. Typically, burst stimulation consists of five 1000 Hz spikes delivered 40 times per second, designed to mimic the natural burst firing patterns observed in thalamic neurons. This stimulation pattern was developed to provide pain relief without generating paresthesias, potentially offering improved pain coverage and reduced side effects compared to traditional tonic stimulation. Burst stimulation is thought to affect different neural pathways and may provide superior relief for certain types of neuropathic pain.
Usage
Usage note: Capitalize when referring to specific commercial implementations like BurstDR.
In Context
- "Burst stimulation provided effective pain relief without the paresthesias associated with traditional stimulation." — Clinical outcomes report
- "The burst stimulation protocol delivered five 1000 Hz pulses in each burst at 40 Hz." — Programming parameters document