8918 Relationship between Brainwave Biomarker and Endometriosis Pain Symptoms before and after Laparoscopic Surgery

Abstract

Study Objective The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between peak alpha frequency (PAF), an electroencephalogram (EEG)-based biomarker for pain sensitivity, and pain symptoms for patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery for endometriosis. Design Prospective observational pilot study. Setting Large academic hospital. Patients or Participants Patients (n=18) undergoing laparoscopic endometriosis excision surgery were invited to participate. Participants enrolled before surgery and were followed up to 6 weeks postoperatively. Interventions N/A. Measurements and Main Results Participants completed a physical exam, quantitative EEG, and symptom questionnaires before and after surgery (2-weeks and/or 6-weeks post-op). We hypothesized that PAF would increase after surgery indicating an improvement in pain symptoms. To measure PAF, EEG data was collected using a BrainBit dry electrode headset. Patient-reported outcome measures for pain and endometriosis symptoms were collected using Modified Brief Pain Inventory (BPI), Short-form McGill Pain Questionnaire 2, Endometriosis Health Profile 30, and Patient Health Questionnaire 9. Descriptive statistics and Spearman correlation coefficients were calculated for each measure before and after surgery. Overall, we observed an increase in PAF following surgery, where median values shifted from 9.88 Hz preoperatively (IQR 9.84 - 9.99 Hz) to 10.01 Hz postoperatively (IQR 9.84 - 10.06 Hz). Preliminary results suggest that preoperative PAF is moderately inversely correlated with average preoperative pain reported using BPI (rho = -0.52) but is not strongly correlated with other measures. Conclusion While the reported results are underpowered to determine statistical significance, PAF was found to increase six weeks after endometriosis surgery. Furthermore, preoperative PAF appears to be inversely correlated with preoperative pain symptoms, suggesting that PAF is a useful measure for tracking pain in patients with endometriosis. Additional investigation and follow-up is needed to determine how PAF relates to long-term surgical outcomes for patients with chronic pelvic pain. The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between peak alpha frequency (PAF), an electroencephalogram (EEG)-based biomarker for pain sensitivity, and pain symptoms for patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery for endometriosis. Prospective observational pilot study. Large academic hospital. Patients (n=18) undergoing laparoscopic endometriosis excision surgery were invited to participate. Participants enrolled before surgery and were followed up to 6 weeks postoperatively. N/A. Participants completed a physical exam, quantitative EEG, and symptom questionnaires before and after surgery (2-weeks and/or 6-weeks post-op). We hypothesized that PAF would increase after surgery indicating an improvement in pain symptoms. To measure PAF, EEG data was collected using a BrainBit dry electrode headset. Patient-reported outcome measures for pain and endometriosis symptoms were collected using Modified Brief Pain Inventory (BPI), Short-form McGill Pain Questionnaire 2, Endometriosis Health Profile 30, and Patient Health Questionnaire 9. Descriptive statistics and Spearman correlation coefficients were calculated for each measure before and after surgery. Overall, we observed an increase in PAF following surgery, where median values shifted from 9.88 Hz preoperatively (IQR 9.84 - 9.99 Hz) to 10.01 Hz postoperatively (IQR 9.84 - 10.06 Hz). Preliminary results suggest that preoperative PAF is moderately inversely correlated with average preoperative pain reported using BPI (rho = -0.52) but is not strongly correlated with other measures. While the reported results are underpowered to determine statistical significance, PAF was found to increase six weeks after endometriosis surgery. Furthermore, preoperative PAF appears to be inversely correlated with preoperative pain symptoms, suggesting that PAF is a useful measure for tracking pain in patients with endometriosis. Additional investigation and follow-up is needed to determine how PAF relates to long-term surgical outcomes for patients with chronic pelvic pain.