Impact of Scrambler Therapy on Pain Management and Quality of Life in Cancer Patients: A Study of Twenty Cases

The Use of Scrambler Therapy in Treating Chronic Pain Syndromes: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

Scrambler therapy (ST) is a noninvasive method of transcutaneous neuromodulation that has 510(K) clearance from the United States Food and Drug Administration for treating acute pain, postoperative pain, and intractable chronic pain. Since its inception, ST has been used to treat many chronic pain syndromes in a variety of patient populations. We synthesized the available literature for ST to delineate its overall evidence basis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We performed a systematic review based on conventional Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses methods by surveying multiple data sources from January 1950 through October 2021. Two review authors, independently and in a standardized, unblinded fashion, conducted a systematic review to identify relevant studies and extract the necessary outcome measures. A conservative search strategy was implemented to identify all ST studies for the treatment of chronic pain syndromes. Primary outcome parameters collected were analgesic benefit, adverse effects, and other metrics such as sensorimotor testing.

RESULTS

A total of 21 studies met the final criteria for study inclusion and comprised randomized controlled trials (n = 8), prospective observational studies (n = 10), and retrospective cohort studies (n = 3). Nearly all the reported studies explored the use of ST for the treatment of neuropathic pain, with chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy being the most studied condition. Most studies were limited by small cohorts but reported ST being safe, well tolerated, and providing clinically meaningful pain reduction. The duration of posttreatment follow-up ranged from ten to 14 days (concordant with completion of typical ST protocols) to three months. Secondary benefits such as medication reduction and improvement of sensory and motor symptoms were noted by some studies.

CONCLUSIONS

ST is regarded as a safe intervention with potential for significant analgesic benefit for neuropathic pain conditions. Although the available evidence is most robust for treating chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy, ST has also been shown to be effective in treating other neuropathic pain syndromes. Evidence for ST use in nociceptive pain conditions is limited but appears promising. The favorable safety profile and increasing evidence basis for ST warrant more extensive recognition and consideration for use in clinical care.

Safety of Scrambler Therapy: A Systematic Review of Complications and Adverse Effects

OBJECTIVE

The objective was to qualitatively synthesize all reported cases of complications, adverse effects, side effects, or harms arising from the use of scrambler therapy (ST).

METHODS AND DESIGN

A systematic review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines. The PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, United States National Library of Medicine clinical trials registry, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases were searched from database inception to December 10, 2021. Case reports/series, abstracts, retrospective studies, and prospective studies (e.g., open-label trials, randomized controlled trials) pertaining to ST and any description of a complication, adverse effect, side effect, or harm were screened. The search protocol was developed a priori and registered via the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO ID: CRD42021291838).

RESULTS

A total of six RCTs, 19 prospective open-label trials, and 11 case series / case reports met the inclusion criteria, comprising 1,152 total patients. Two patients experienced contact dermatitis, and one patient reported minor ecchymosis that resolved without intervention. This yielded a composite complication rate of 0.26% (3/1,152). There were zero reported serious adverse events.

CONCLUSIONS

When used in accordance with the treatment protocols described by the United States Food and Drug Administration and device manual, ST is associated with a reported composite complication rate that is orders of magnitude lower than those of invasive neuromodulation devices. ST neuromodulation is a safe alternative for patients who cannot undergo invasive neuromodulation device implantation because of either risk or preference.

Scrambler Therapy Enhances Quality of Life in Cancer Patients in a Palliative Care Setting: A Randomised Controlled Trial

Objectives:

Given the known side effects of opioids and the negative impact of these side effects on quality of life (QOL), there is a need for therapies that can reduce opioid intake and improve QOL in patients suffering from cancer pain. Scrambler therapy (ST) is a neuromodulatory therapy that has been shown to reduce cancer pain, but its effect on QOL is not well understood. This study intended to evaluate the efficacy of ST for enhancing QOL in cancer patients through minimising pain and opioid intake.

Material and Methods:

This was a randomised controlled trial including 80 patients with head, neck and thoracic cancer. In both arms, patients were given pain management drugs following the WHO analgesic ladder for ten consecutive days. In the intervention arm each day ST was given. Pain, morphine intake, and QOL (WHOQOL-BREF) were assessed.

Results:

All domains of QOL improved significantly in the intervention arm in comparison to the control arm. In comparison to baseline, pain improved in both the intervention and the control arm on day 10 and at follow-up. However, QOL significantly improved in the intervention arm, while morphine intake decreased. In the control arm, QOL deteriorated, while morphine intake increased.

Conclusion:

ST significantly improved QOL. Since the increase in QOL took place along with a significantly lower morphine intake, the improvement in QOL may not only be explained by lower pain scores but, also, by a reduced intake of morphine, because the lower dosages of morphine will decrease the likelihood of side effects associated with the drug.

Scrambler therapy improves pain in neuromyelitis optica: A randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether Scrambler therapy is an effective, acceptable, and feasible treatment of persistent central neuropathic pain in patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) and to explore the effect of Scrambler therapy on co-occurring symptoms.

METHODS

We conducted a randomized single-blind, sham-controlled trial in patients with NMOSD who have central neuropathic pain using Scrambler therapy for 10 consecutive weekdays. Pain severity, pain interference, anxiety, depression, and sleep disturbance were assessed at baseline, at the end of treatment, and at the 30- and 60-day follow-up.

RESULTS

Twenty-two patients (11 per arm) were enrolled in and completed this trial. The median baseline numeric rating scale (NRS) pain score decreased from 5.0 to 1.5 after 10 days of treatment with Scrambler therapy, whereas the median NRS score did not significantly decrease in the sham arm. Depression was also reduced in the treatment arm, and anxiety was decreased in a subset of patients who responded to treatment. These symptoms were not affected in the sham arm. The safety profiles were similar between groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Scrambler therapy is an effective, feasible, and safe intervention for central neuropathic pain in patients with NMOSD. Decreasing pain with Scrambler therapy may additionally improve depression and anxiety.

CLINICALTRIALSGOV IDENTIFIER

NCT03452176.

CLASSIFICATION OF EVIDENCE

This study provides Class II evidence that Scrambler therapy significantly reduces pain in patients with NMOSD and persistent central neuropathic pain.

Inside the Scrambler Therapy, a Noninvasive Treatment of Chronic Neuropathic and Cancer Pain: From the Gate Control Theory to the Active Principle of Information

Scrambler therapy (ST) is an electro-analgesia therapy for the noninvasive treatment of chronic neuropathic and cancer pain based on a new generation of medical device that uses 5 artificial neurons and is based on a novel theoretical model the differs from gate control theory. The active principle with Scrambler Therapy is such that synthetic "non-pain" information is transmitted by C fiber surface receptors. This is a different theoretical mechanism than the traditional electric stimulation of A-Beta fibers to produce paresthesia and/or block the conduction of nerve fibers to produce an analgesic effect, that is, via TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) machines. Scrambler therapy was developed to treat chronic neuropathic pain and cancer pain resistant to opioids and other types of treatments. The goal of Scrambler Therapy is to eliminate pain during treatment and allow for long-lasting analgesia after a series of 10 to 12 consecutive treatments performed over a 2-week period. The aim of this review is to clarify the underlying theory of Scrambler Therapy and describe the appropriate usage method that maximizes its effectiveness while reducing bias and deepen the explanation of the artificial neuron technology associated with Scrambler Therapy.

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy: a review of recent findings

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a common, frequently chronic condition characterized by pain and decreased function. Given the growing number of cancer survivors and an increasing recognition of opioid therapy limitations, there is a need for critical analysis of the literature in directing an informed and thoughtful approach for the management of painful CIPN.

RECENT FINDINGS

A PubMed search for 'chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy AND pain' identifies 259 publications between 1 January 2016 and 31 March 2017. Based on review of this literature, we aim to present a clinically relevant update of painful CIPN. Notably, the use of duloxetine as a first-line agent in treatment of CIPN is confirmed. Moreover, clinical trials focus on nonpharmacologic strategies for managing painful CIPN.

SUMMARY

Despite the volume of recent publications, there are limited preventive or therapeutic strategies for CIPN supported by high-level evidence. Duloxetine remains the only pharmacologic agent with demonstrated benefit; its clinical use should be routinely considered. Moving forward, nonopioid analgesic therapies will likely play an increasing role in CIPN treatment, but further research is necessary to confirm their utility. Promising therapies include vitamin B12 supplementation, physical therapy, and various forms of neuromodulation.