Effects of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation on chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy symptoms (CIPN): a preliminary case-control study

Tania Tonezzer, Leonardo Affonso Massabki Caffaro, Katiuscia Rosette Scasni Menon, Fabíola Cristina Brandini da Silva, Christina May Moran de Brito, Almir José Sarri, Raquel Aparecida Casarotto

[Purpose] The aim of this double-blind, randomized and placebo-controlled study is to investigate the effects of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation for reducing the side effects of Chemotherapy-induced Peripheral Neuropathy in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy with oxaloplatin or paclitaxel. [Subjects and Methods] Twenty-four patients were randomly allocated into two groups: active or placebo stimulation. All patients were assessed for pain, numbness/tingiling, frequency of symptoms, and quality of life. The transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation device was applied daily with modulating frequencies ranging between 7 Hz and 65 Hz in distal limb regions during three cycles of chemotherapy (45 days). The other stimulation parameters were: pulse duration of 200 μsec, intensity at the highest tolerable level, and increases in intensity when it diminished. [Results] The data showed no difference between active or placebo groups in terms of pain, numbness/tingling, frequency of symptoms or impact on daily life activities. [Conclusion] These results suggest that Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation applied in the frequency variation mode was not proven to be effective to improve the symptoms of Chemotherapy-induced Peripheral Neuropathy during chemotherapy cycles. There was no worsening of symptoms in subsequent cycles of the onset of symptoms of the disease.