A recent review paper highlights that scrambler therapy, sanctioned by the FDA in 2009, delivers substantial alleviation for 80%–90% of individuals with chronic pain, possibly being more efficacious than transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS). This technique employs electrodes to interfere with or “scramble” pain signals, possibly resulting in enduring respite.
The same review paper, penned by two pain specialists from Johns Hopkins, puts forward that scrambler therapy, a non-surgical method, might furnish significant relief for 80%–90% of those who endure chronic pain. Furthermore, the paper posits that the method may outshine TENS in terms of effectiveness. This paper has been freshly published in The New England Journal of Medicine.
Scrambler therapy, authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2009, applies electrical impulses through the skin with electrodes situated above and below the region of chronic pain.
An instance of scrambler therapy being used on a patient with chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy is depicted by red bursts showing the pain areas. Credit goes to a photo courtesy of Thomas Smith.
The objective of this treatment is to seize nerve endings and replace pain signals from the affected area with non-painful signals from neighboring areas, effectively confusing the pain signals sent to the brain, as articulated by the study’s lead author, Thomas Smith, M.D., the Harry J. Duffey Family Professor of Palliative Medicine at the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center and a professor at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.
Smith explains that all chronic, nerve, and neuropathic pain usually arise from two factors: constant pain signals from damaged nerves that travel to the brain’s pain centers, and a failure in the system that blocks these impulses to prevent them from becoming persistent.
Smith states, “If you can obstruct the rising pain signals and fortify the inhibition system, you might essentially reprogram the brain to lessen chronic pain intensity.” He likens it to hitting the Control-Alt-Delete keys repeatedly.
Many who undergo this treatment report “substantial, often lasting relief,” Smith says, typically after three to 12 sessions, each lasting half an hour.
Smith, as a doctor specializing in chronic pain, praises scrambler therapy, labeling it as the most thrilling advancement he has encountered in recent times. He emphasizes its effectiveness, non-intrusiveness, considerable reduction in opioid usage, and its potential permanence.
Contrarily, TENS therapy, which also uses low-intensity electrical currents via the skin, relies on two electrodes at the pain sites. Relief from this method frequently vanishes once the electrical currents are discontinued, according to Smith. A review paper-referenced study that analyzed the effects of TENS in 381 randomized clinical trials revealed an insignificant distinction in pain relief between TENS and a sham procedure.
Reference: The article “Cutaneous Electroanalgesia for Relief of Chronic and Neuropathic Pain” by Thomas J. Smith, Eric J. Wang, and Charles L. Loprinzi, dated 13 July 2023, in the New England Journal of Medicine. DOI: 10.1056/NEJMra2110098.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about fokus keyword: scrambler therapy
What is scrambler therapy and how does it work?
Scrambler therapy is a noninvasive treatment approved by the FDA in 2009, aimed at providing relief for chronic pain sufferers. It administers electrical stimulation through the skin via electrodes placed in areas of the body where chronic pain is felt. The goal is to capture nerve endings and replace pain signals from the painful area with signals from adjacent areas experiencing no pain, thereby “scrambling” the pain signals sent to the brain.
How effective is scrambler therapy compared to transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)?
Scrambler therapy provides significant relief for 80%–90% of chronic pain patients and may be more effective than TENS. While TENS also administers electrical signals through the skin, the relief often disappears when the electrical impulses are turned off. A study found an insignificant difference in pain relief between TENS and a placebo procedure.
Who conducted the review paper on scrambler therapy, and where was it published?
The review paper was co-authored by two Johns Hopkins pain experts and was published in The New England Journal of Medicine.
How is scrambler therapy administered, and how many sessions are usually required?
Scrambler therapy applies electrical impulses through the skin with electrodes situated above and below the region of chronic pain. Patients typically receive three to twelve half-hour sessions, often resulting in substantial, possibly permanent, relief.
What are the benefits of scrambler therapy according to Thomas Smith, M.D.?
Thomas Smith, the study’s primary author, praises scrambler therapy for its effectiveness, non-invasiveness, substantial reduction in opioid use, and potential permanence. He describes it as the most exciting development he has seen in years for treating chronic pain.
Was there a particular patient group studied in relation to scrambler therapy?
Scrambler therapy has been used for patients with chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy, as well as other chronic pain conditions. The therapy aims to “scramble” the pain signals sent to the brain, potentially leading to permanent relief.
How does scrambler therapy contribute to a reduction in opioid use?
Scrambler therapy provides substantial relief from chronic pain and can often be permanent. By effectively managing and possibly eliminating chronic pain, it reduces the need for opioid medications, contributing to a decrease in opioid use.
