title: An exploratory study on the effectiveness of "Calmare therapy" in patients with cancer-related neuropathic pain: A pilot study.
abstract: Calmare therapy (CT) has been suggested as a novel treatment for managing chronic pain. Recently, it was reported to show a positive therapeutic outcome for managing neuropathic pain condition. We performed an exploratory prospective study on the effectiveness of CT in patients with various types of cancer-related neuropathic pain (CNP).
  
  
  
  We performed an open-labeled, single-arm, exploratory study on the effectiveness of CT in patients with various types of cancer-related neuropathic pain (CNP). The primary endpoint was a comparison of the 11-point Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) pain score at one month with the baseline score in each patient. Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) and consumption of opioid were also evaluated during follow-up period.
  
  
  
  CT significantly decreased NRS pain score at one month from baseline (p < 0.001) in 20 patients with chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (n = 6), metastatic bone pain (n = 7), and post-surgical neuropathic pain (n = 7). It also improved overall BPI scores, decreased consumption of rescue opioid (p = 0.050), and was found satisfactory by a half of patients (n = 10, 50.0%).
  
  
  
  Our preliminary results suggest that CT may be considered for cancer patients with various types of CNP. Large studies are necessary to confirm our findings and ascertain which additional CNP show positive response to CT.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Sang Chul
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Keun Suk
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: jymoon0901@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Jee Youn
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Moon
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Eun Jung
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Yong-Chul
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Hyejin
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Seo
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Joon Kyung
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Sung
authors.affiliation: University Medical Center, De La Salle Health Sciences Institute, Dasmariñas, Cavite, Philippines.
authors.forename: Da Jeong
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000072716:Cancer Pain / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009437:Neuralgia / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D004561:Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents
keywords: Calmare therapy; Cancer pain; Neuropathic pain; Noninvasive approach; Pain management; Scrambler therapy