Abstract
Abstract BACKGROUND Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a common and serious consequence of cancer treatment that, for up to 30% of patients, persists beyond six months of completing chemotherapy. Scrambler therapy (ST) is a therapeutic modality with emerging evidence supporting its ability to diminish CIPN symptoms. METHODS Data was from a convenience sample of 24 CIPN patients (with symptoms between 1-240 months after platinum-based, taxane, or combination chemotherapy) completing 10 sessions of ST using the Calmare® device in the City of Hope Outpatient Physical Therapy Department. Patients were treated for ~45 minutes per session over 10 sessions. Patients received a standardized assessment pre- and post ST that included: EORTC chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy questionnaire (QLQ-CIPN20), mono-filament testing, pain intensity numerical rating scale, numbness scale, extensor hallicus longus strength, Timed Up and Go, Romberg, and single leg balance. RESULTS Regardless of length of symptoms, significant changes were seen in post-treatment assessment of quality of life as measured by the QLQ-CIPN-20 and numbness scale. Post-treatment QLQ-CIPN-20 total scores decreased by an average of 7.1 points (n= 24, p< .01). Numbness in the left lower extremity decreased by an average of 1 point of the 0-4 point scale (n=24, p=.0007) and 1.09 points on the right lower extremity (n=24, p < .0004). There was a trend towards improvements in pain, monofilament testing, single leg balance, and Romberg test, though they did not reach a level of significance. Surprisingly, only 3 of 24 patients reported pain related to their CIPN at the start of treatment. CONCLUSION For patients with CIPN, scrambler therapy improves numbness and improves quality of life measures. This suggests an important role for this treatment modality in cancer patients suffering from this debilitating condition.
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