Scrambler Therapy in the Treatment of Chronic Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy

This is an interventional supportive care trial for Neuropathy focused on measuring Neuropathy, Peripheral neuropathy, Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy Read More

Inclusion Criteria:

• Men and women, 18 years of age or older with cancer
• English speakers
• Lower extremity CIPN neuropathy: Received neurotoxic chemotherapy (including taxanes-such as paclitaxel or docetaxel, or platinum-based compounds such as carboplatin or cis-platinum or oxaliplatin, or vinca alkaloids such as vincristine, vinblastine, or vinorelbine, or proteosome inhibitors such as bortezimib).
• Pain or symptoms of lower extremity peripheral neuropathy of >3 month's duration attributed to chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy
• An average daily pain rating of > 4 out of 10
• Life expectancy >3 months
• ECOG Performance Status 0, 1, 2, or 3
• Patient understands the study regimen, its requirements, risks, and discomforts, and is able and willing to sign an informed consent form

Exclusion Criteria:

• Any of the following: pregnant women, nursing women, women of childbearing potential or their sexual partners who are unwilling to employ adequate contraception (condoms, diaphragm, birth control pills, injections, intrauterine device [IUD], surgical sterilization, subcutaneous implants, abstinence, etc.).
• Use of an investigational agent for pain control concurrently or within the past 30 days
• History of an allergic reaction or previous intolerance to transcutaneous electronic nerve stimulation
• Patients with implantable drug delivery systems, e.g. Medtronic Synchromed
• Patients with heart stents or metal implants such as pacemakers, automatic defibrillators, cochlear implants, aneurysm clips, vena cava clips and skull plates. (Metal implants for orthopedic repair, e.g. pins, clips, plates, cages, joint replacements are allowed)
• Patients with a history of myocardial infarction or ischemic heart disease within the past six months
• Patients with history of epilepsy, brain damage, or symptomatic brain metastases
• Prior celiac plexus block, or other neurolytic pain control treatment
• Other identified causes of painful parasthesias existing prior to chemotherapy (e.g., radiation or malignant plexopathy, lumbar or cervical radiculopathy, pre-existing peripheral neuropathy of another etiology: e.g., carpal tunnel syndrome, B12 deficiency, AIDS, monoclonal gammopathy, diabetes, heavy metal poisoning amyloidosis, syphilis, hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism, inherited neuropathy, etc.) that might be responsible for the patient's current neuropathic symptoms
• Skin conditions such as open sores that would prevent proper application of the electrodes
• Other medical or other condition(s) that in the opinion of the investigators might compromise the objectives of the study
• Currently receiving anti-convulsants (such as gabapentinoids, e.g. gabapentin (Neurontin) or pregabalin (Lyrica). Because of data that support that patients do not do as well when on gabapentin or pregabalin, all patients on these medications will be weaned off them prior to study initiation. The study team will provide instructions on how to do this