Thomas J Smith1, Giuseppe Marineo2. 1. 1 Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD, USA. 2. 2 Delta Research & Development, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Postherpetic neuropathy (PHN) is common, severe, and often refractory to treatment. We treated 10 patients with refractory PHN using Scrambler therapy, a neurocutaneous stimulation device that delivers "nonpain" information with surface electrodes. METHODS: Scrambler therapy was given as 30-minute sessions daily for 10 days. Pain was recorded before and after treatment. Two centers. RESULT: The average pain score rapidly diminished from 7.64 ± 1.46 at baseline to 0.42 ± 0.89 at 1 month, a 95% reduction, with continued relief at 2 and 3 months. Patients achieved maximum pain relief with less than 5 treatments. DISCUSSION: Scrambler therapy appears to have a promising effect on PHN, with prompt and continued relief and no side effects. Further research is warranted.
OBJECTIVES: Postherpetic neuropathy (PHN) is common, severe, and often refractory to treatment. We treated 10 patients with refractory PHN using Scrambler therapy, a neurocutaneous stimulation device that delivers "nonpain" information with surface electrodes. METHODS: Scrambler therapy was given as 30-minute sessions daily for 10 days. Pain was recorded before and after treatment. Two centers. RESULT: The average pain score rapidly diminished from 7.64 ± 1.46 at baseline to 0.42 ± 0.89 at 1 month, a 95% reduction, with continued relief at 2 and 3 months. Patients achieved maximum pain relief with less than 5 treatments. DISCUSSION: Scrambler therapy appears to have a promising effect on PHN, with prompt and continued relief and no side effects. Further research is warranted.
Entities:
Keywords:
devices; electrical pain stimulation; neurocutaneous pain stimulation; new therapies for pain; pain; postherpetic neuropathy
Authors: Charles Loprinzi; Jennifer G Le-Rademacher; Neil Majithia; Ryan P McMurray; Carrie R O'Neill; Markus A Bendel; Andreas Beutler; Daniel H Lachance; Andrea Cheville; David M Strick; David F Black; Jon C Tilburt; Thomas J Smith Journal: Support Care Cancer Date: 2019-06-17 Impact factor: 3.603
Authors: Neil Majithia; Thomas J Smith; Patrick J Coyne; Salahadin Abdi; Deirdre R Pachman; Daniel Lachance; Randy Shelerud; Andrea Cheville; Jeffrey R Basford; David Farley; Carrie O'Neill; Kathryn J Ruddy; Frank Sparadeo; Andreas Beutler; Charles L Loprinzi Journal: Support Care Cancer Date: 2016-04-04 Impact factor: 3.603