The Efficacy of Percutaneous Auricular Neurostimulation for Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy: A Retrospective Chart Review

Abstract

Abstract

Background:

Peripheral neuropathy is a common problem that can occur with chemotherapy treatment, resulting in pain, numbness, and reduced function. One promising, yet understudied, integrative care therapy that might offer pain relief for patients is a percutaneously placed, microchip-controlled pulsed neurotransmitter that provides electrical pulses to specific peripheral nerves in the ear.

Objective:

The purpose of this study was to examine the efficacy of this therapy for reducing pain and improving function in patients with chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN).

Materials and Methods:

A mixed-method retrospective chart review of patients receiving, from an integrative oncologist, percutaneous auricular neurostimulation (PANS) for CIPN was conducted. Nonparametric tests were used to examine pain scores pre–post treatment. A qualitative content analysis was used to examine pain and functional outcomes associated with treatment in those charts that did not have quantitative pain scores documented.

Results:

A total of 98 charts were reviewed, of which 58 charts met the study criteria. For the 18 patients that had pre–post pain scores available for quantitative analyses (M_age = 6 3 years; 67% female), pain scores significantly decreased after PANS (M_pre = 8.11 vs. M_post = 3.17; median change −5.0, p < 0.001), regardless of number of treatments (M = 4.5; SD = 2.5). Fifty-nine percent of patients with qualitative data reported marked improvements and 12.5% reported notable, yet minimal, reductions of pain and numbness following treatment.

Conclusions:

PANS was associated with significant improvements in both pain and function. Preliminary results suggest that PANS might be a useful nonpharmacologic treatment for patients with CIPN. Further controlled studies, using prospective research designs and active control groups, are warranted.