SENECA - Smart Therapies for Chronic Pain

This will be a randomized controlled prospective pilot study: The feasibility and usability of VIVO 2nd GEN therapy + Standard-of-Care (SoC) vs. Standard-of-Care alone will be evaluated.

At baseline, after informed consent and evaluation of inclusion and exclusion criteria, evaluation of pain on painDETECT, quality of life (EQ-5D-5L questionnaire), mental health (HADS questionnaire), and the effect of back pain on function and daily activities (ODI questionnaire) will be performed. After that, all patients will start their multimodal treatment plan.

The control group will only receive SoC multimodal therapy training (this includes specifically: physio group therapy, water therapy, strength training, Nordic walking, massages, thermos therapy, lectures and trainings, psychotherapy, local electrotherapy).

The treatment group will additionally receive pVNS as add-on therapy. Within this study the next generation device VIVO 2nd GEN will be used within a pVNS proofed indication.

The study documentation in both groups will be supported by a digital diary App (VIVO® Pal) and an online dashboard for physicians/therapists (Therapy Management System - TMS), allowing for pseudonymized data entries and management.

Patients will remain on treatment for 4 weeks. All patients will be evaluated using questionnaires (painDETECT, EQ-5D-5L, HADS, ODI) at baseline, weekly during treatment for 4 weeks, by end of treatment and at 4 weeks (optional 3 months and 6 months) follow-up (e.g., via telephone or the App, see below).