Analgesia With Device For Sensory Restoration.
Background: Cancer pain relief has still some problems. In the attempt to contribute solving them, we have presented data on the usage of the new device which was designed for sensory system restoration with transcutaneous electrical stimulation; its analgesic activity was accidentally noted in some patients (pts).
Methods: Our preliminary trial was conducted in 34 pts (men 16, women 18; mean age 55.3) who had various nosologic forms of malignancies with chronic pain syndromes. As was verified, the origin of pain was caused by generalized cancer process (tumor growth and/or remote metastases) in all cases. The pts were administrated analgesic drugs with WHO recommendations but they continued to suffer from pain. After signing the informed consent these pts received additional therapeutic course which consisted of 10…15 procedures.
using 5-point scale; its range was from 0 (“none”) to 4 (“complete”).
Results: The average baseline CRS score was 6.1. In 23 pts of 34 (67,6%) good results were achieved: CRS < 3 and PR 3…4 with reduction of drug usage. 8 pts (23.5) had moderate results: CRS 3…5, PR 2; in 3 pts the results were bad (CRS > 5, PR 0…1). Besides pain relief depressive symptoms were regressed in 17 of 26 pts who had such disorders; this antidepressive action was confirmed with both clinical observation and data on routine HAM-D scale (?50% declining).
Conclusion: The new device is useful in cancer pain relief as a part of comprehensive therapeutic program. Its exact position here will be established in the randomized placebo-controlled study that is being conducted now.