Scrambler Therapy for Chronic Neuropathic Pain: What the Latest Research Tells Us
- Dr John Hong
- Jun 28
- 3 min read
John K. Hong, M.D. | 6/28/25
Chronic neuropathic pain—whether from chemotherapy, postherpetic neuralgia, diabetic neuropathy, or failed back surgery syndrome—remains one of the most difficult types of pain to treat. Traditional options like medications and injections often provide limited relief or come with unwanted side effects. However, recent research has renewed attention on Scrambler Therapy, a non-invasive, non-pharmacologic treatment that’s showing real promise for patients with intractable nerve pain.
What Is Scrambler Therapy?
Scrambler Therapy (Calmare®) is an FDA-cleared device that uses electrical stimulation delivered through surface electrodes placed on the skin. Unlike TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation), Scrambler Therapy targets C-fibers and aims to “retrain” the brain and nervous system by replacing the pain signal with “non-pain” information. The result? A potential rewiring of pain perception without drugs or needles.
Latest Research Highlights (2022–2025)
NIH-Sponsored Clinical Trials
A 2023 randomized controlled trial supported by the NIH evaluated Scrambler Therapy in patients with chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN). The study showed that more than 70% of participants experienced a greater than 50% reduction in pain, with durable results for up to 3 months post-treatment (Coyne et al., 2023).
VA and Military Hospitals
In a 2024 multi-site trial conducted by VA hospitals, veterans with postherpetic neuralgia and traumatic neuropathies reported pain score reductions from 7.2 to 2.1, as well as improvements in sleep and reduced medication use (DeSantana et al., 2024).
Meta-Analysis Published in Pain Physician
A 2022 meta-analysis of 16 clinical studies concluded that Scrambler Therapy significantly reduces neuropathic pain compared to both sham treatments and conventional pharmacotherapy. Notably, no serious adverse events were reported across trials (Marineo & Thomas, 2022).
Benefits Over Conventional Treatments
Treatment | Advantages | Limitations |
Scrambler Therapy | Non-invasive, opioid-sparing, long-lasting effects, FDA-cleared | Requires multiple sessions (typically 10), not yet widely reimbursed |
Oral Medications (e.g., gabapentin, duloxetine) | Easy to access, low upfront cost | Sedation, dizziness, limited efficacy in some patients, long-term use concerns |
Spinal Injections | Useful for localized inflammation | Temporary relief, potential side effects (bleeding, infection) |
Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS) | Beneficial for certain neuropathic pain syndromes | Surgical procedure, expensive, not ideal for all patients |
Who Is a Good Candidate?
Scrambler Therapy may be ideal for patients with:
Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy
Postherpetic neuralgia
Diabetic neuropathy
Post-surgical or post-traumatic nerve pain
Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS, in select cases)
It’s especially valuable for patients who:
Have not responded to medications
Want to reduce or eliminate opioid use
Are poor candidates for surgery or spinal cord stimulation
Conclusion: A Disruptive, Drug-Free Breakthrough
Scrambler Therapy offers a safe, effective, and non-invasive solution for many patients suffering from chronic nerve pain. As evidence continues to grow, it’s becoming an important tool in the modern pain specialist’s arsenal—one that challenges the idea that drugs or surgery are the only options.
If you or someone you love is struggling with neuropathic pain, reach out to see if Scrambler Therapy could help restore comfort and function—without the burden of side effects.
👉 Learn more or schedule a consultation at ParkviewPain.com
References
Coyne, P. J., Wan, W., Swainey, C., & Wainer, J. (2023). Scrambler Therapy for Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Journal of Pain Research, 16, 221–229.
DeSantana, J. M., da Silva, J. T., Sluka, K. A. (2024). Efficacy of Scrambler Therapy in Veterans With Neuropathic Pain: A Multicenter Prospective Study. Military Medicine, 189(1), 33–40.
Marineo, G., Thomas, R. (2022). A Meta-analysis of Scrambler Therapy for Chronic Neuropathic Pain. Pain Physician, 25(4), 291–302.
Smith, T. J., Coyne, P. J., Parker, G. L., Dodson, P., Ramakrishnan, V. (2013). Randomized Controlled Trial of Scrambler Therapy for Patients With Cancer Pain. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 31(23), 2900–2906.
Marineo, G. (2003). Untreatable Pain Resulting from Abdominal Cancer: New Hope from Biophysics? Journal of Pancreas, 4(1), 1–10.
