Artificial neurons in oncological pain: the potential of Scrambler Therapy to modify a biological information

Thirty-three terminal cancer patients suffering from extremely severe drug-resistant pain were treated with Scrambler Therapy, a new bioengineering-based method for treating oncological/ neuropathic pain. Preliminary tests of the method’s effectiveness were performed by measuring pain intensity (visual analogue scale (VAS)) before and after each treatment session, and the duration of absence of pain in the hours following each single application, as well as by recording the variation in painkiller consumption. Each patient subsequently continued to receive treatment until the end point was reached, verifying whether the method retained the effectiveness displayed during the reference period. The VAS statistics before and after each treatment session, and of the baseline VAS prior to treatment and at the end of the reference cycle were subjected to a paired t-test (statistical significance). Both VAS references indicated a significant decrease in pain intensity, with p < 0.0001. The entire sample responded positively to the treatment throughout the statistical reference period and continued with unchanged effectiveness until the end point was reached. Seventy-two percent of the patients suspended treatment with painkillers during the first applications, while the remaining 28% considerably reduced the dose they were taking prior to Scrambler Therapy. No undesirable side effects emerged and compliance proved to be optimal. D 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.