Effect of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) to reduce symptoms of antineoplasic chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy

• Grant number: 13/13619-9
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: February 01, 2015
• End date: January 31, 2017
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy
• Principal Investigator: Raquel Aparecida Casarotto
• Grantee: Raquel Aparecida Casarotto
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina (FM). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Tania Tonezzer

Abstract

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) results from damage or dysfunction of peripheral nerves, one of the most common side effects resulting from cancer chemotherapy using neurotoxic drugs. Pain and paresthesia symptoms are prevalent, causing chronic discomfort and loss of functional abilities, negatively affect the quality of life and patient autonomy. In a pilot study with patients with CIPN, there was evidence that the Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation improved the symptoms of patients with painful CIPN. This study aims to investigate the effects of TENS in reducing the symptoms of pain and paresthesia and improvement in activities of daily living in patients with cancer who present CIPN. Methods: The participants will receive TENS with following parameters: TENS-VF mode with frequency varying from 7 Hz to 65 Hz, pulse width of 200 µs, application time 60 minutes with intensity the highest tolerable but comfortable for the patient daily on days that make chemotherapy regimen and home treatment during three cycles of chemotherapy. Participants will be divided into two groups: experimental group (EG) that will be applied to active TENS and Control Group (CG) to receive placebo TENS. The assessment of the effects will be measured by the following instruments: Classification of neuropathy by CTCAE (Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events) version 4.02, 2009, the ECOG Scale functionality, the questionnaire of neurotoxicity induced by antineoplastic (QNIA) for evaluation symptoms of CIPN, and the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) to assess the symptoms of pain and paresthesia. The error ± is estimated at 5%. (AU)