Education and Innovation

The research program at PDIC aids in the execution, and evaluation of interventional pain medicine through clinical trials, with the overriding goal of advancing the treatment of pain in patients while making a meaningful difference in their lives and the lives of future patients.

As of the spring of 2020, our team is involved in six clinical research trials with medical device companies including Abbott, Avanos, Medtronic, Nevro, and SGX Medical. David Provenzano, MD is the principal investigator for each of these studies. Five of our clinical trials are based on spinal cord stimulation (SCS) and seek to help patients with chronic pain as a result of conditions including post- laminectomy pain syndrome, chronic back or leg pain, and complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). The SCS studies explore innovative ways to help increase battery life, decrease levels of pain, and increase efficacy. In addition, new programming parameters are evaluated.

Our research team presently has one clinical trial for genicular nerve radiofrequency ablation (RFA), which is used to treat chronic osteoarthritic knee pain.

While treatments including SCS and RFA are efficacious, we conduct these trials in conjunction with their respective sponsors to advance and improve treatments. Beyond efficacy and safety, we ensure that each treatment is feasible and able to be clinically implemented in a clinical setting.

In addition to carrying on clinical trials, David Provenzano, MD conducts physician-led research studies which are presented at national conferences and published in peer-reviewed journals.

As a leader in the field of pain medicine, Dr. Provenzano was elected to be President of the American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine (ASRA). Additionally, he serves as the Secretary for the North American Neuromodulation Society (NANS).

Recently, Dr. Provenzano helped develop the North American Spine Society (NASS) Evidence-Based Clinical Guidelines for Multidisciplinary Spine Care: Diagnosis and Treatment of Low Back Pain. The guideline was developed based on a systematic review of the highest quality clinical literature available on treatments for low back pain.

Moreover, Dr. Provenzano frequently teaches at national and international meetings. Recently, he taught on topics including SCS, RFA, non-interventional pain management strategies, and practice management at the American Academy of Pain Medicine (AAPM) 2020 Annual Meeting in National Harbor, MD and at the NANS 23rd Annual Meeting (pictured).

Along with our clinical research program, PDIC accepts a student from Washington & Jefferson College every summer for a research internship. This program allows for mentoring future clinical scientists. Our past students have published articles in major journals covering topics including spinal cord stimulation, infection control measures, and radiofrequency. Many of our students are seeking future careers in medicine. The experience gained from our Summer Research Internship Program allows the students to gain valuable knowledge in research prior to applying to and attending medical school.

One student, Samuel Florentino, who now works as the primary clinical research coordinator at PDIC, has been a leader, with other experts (two of which are pictured) in the field, on an international study examining the current radiation safety practices and knowledge of 708 interventional pain physicians compared to evidence-based recommendations. Being among the top-scored abstracts, Samuel was awarded a podium presentation at the NANS 23rd annual meeting in Las Vegas, NV. Additionally, Samuel and Dr. Provenzano were featured on the front page of Pain Medicine News for their work on the radiation safety study.