Scrambler Therapy Treatment: The Importance of Examining Clinically Meaningful Improvements in Chronic Pain and Quality of Life
Ann Nayback-Beebe et al. Mil Med. 2020.
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Mil Med
. 2020 Jan 7;185(Suppl 1):143-147.
doi: 10.1093/milmed/usz253.
Authors
Ann Nayback-Beebe 1 , Tanya Panula 2 , Sonya Arzola 3 , Brandon Goff 4
Affiliations
1 U.S. Army Medical Research & Materiel Command, 810 Schreider St., Fort Detrick, MD 21702.
2 U.S. Army Medical Command, 2271 Reynolds Road, Bldg. 4025, Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234.
3 The Geneva Foundation, 917 Pacific Ave, Tacoma, WA 98402.
4 Brooke Army Medical Center, 3551 Roger Brooke Dr, Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234.
PMID: 32074335
DOI: 10.1093/milmed/usz253
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Abstract
Introduction: Calmare Scrambler Therapy (ST) interferes with pain signal transmission by using nerve fibers to convey a message of normality to the central nervous system. This prospective, double-blinded, randomized trial had three aims. First, we tried to determine ST's effectiveness in reducing chronic neuropathic pain symptoms and analgesic medication use in military service members, when compared to sham treatment. Next, we examined its effect on reported mental and physical health-related quality of life. Finally, we sought to describe participant perceptions of treatment effectiveness.
Materials and methods: Forty-seven subjects were randomized to receive ten 30-minute active ST or sham treatments. Data were collected at baseline, posttreatment, and 1-month follow-up.
Results: The groups showed no statistically significant differences in pain scores, medication use, or mental or physical health-related quality of life with active versus sham treatment. However, both produced clinically meaningful reductions in pain and improvements in physical health-related quality posttreatment that was sustained at 1-month follow-up. Ninety percent of the blinded sample described the treatment intervention as a partial or complete success.
Conclusion: ST is no better than sham treatment in decreasing pain. Yet, patient perceptions of treatment effectiveness are equally important in chronic pain treatment.
