Percutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (PENS): a complementary therapy for the management of pain secondary to bony metastasis.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the use of a novel nonpharmacologic analgesic therapy known as percutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (PENS) in the management of opioid-resistant cancer pain.

DESIGN

PENS therapy was administered to three cancer patients on three or more occasion using acupuncturelike needle probes that were stimulated for 30 minutes at frequencies of 4-100 Hz.

RESULTS

Two of the three patients achieved good to excellent pain relief that lasted 24-72 hours after each treatment session.

CONCLUSION

PENS therapy is a useful supplement to opioid analgesics for the management of pain secondary to bony metastasis in terminal cancer patients.