The Evidence Behind Scrambler Therapy

At Scrambler Therapeutics, we are committed to offering treatments that are not only supportive and person-centred, but also grounded in the best available research. Scrambler Therapy is a non-invasive, drug-free approach designed to help calm the nervous system and reduce the intensity of chronic pain. It works by delivering "non-pain" signals through the skin, helping to retrain how the brain and body experience ongoing pain.

Like all treatments we offer, Scrambler Therapy is integrated within a whole-person, evidence-informed approach that may also include pain neuroscience education, pacing, medication optimisation, movement, and support from your broader care team. While no treatment works for everyone, a growing number of well-conducted studies suggest that Scrambler Therapy can provide significant and sustained relief for many people living with persistent pain.

Below, we've included a curated list of recent clinical trials, systematic reviews and peer-reviewed studies. These include both primary research and review papers, with direct links to the original sources for those wanting to explore the evidence further.

Recent Research on Scrambler Therapy:

1. Smith TJ, Wang EJ, Loprinzi CL. (2023). Cutaneous electroanalgesia for relief of chronic and neuropathic pain. New England Journal of Medicine, 388(5), 428–438.
   View study

2. Johns Hopkins Medicine. (2023). Scrambler Therapy may offer lasting relief for chronic pain: Review paper suggests.
   View source

3. The Week. (2023). Scrambler Therapy shows remarkable results in alleviating chronic pain.
   View article

4. New Atlas. (2023). Scrambler Therapy relieves chronic pain in up to 90% of patients.
   View article

5. SciTechDaily. (2023). Scrambler Therapy: A noninvasive treatment that may offer lasting relief for chronic pain.
   View article

6. Loprinzi CL, Le-Rademacher JG, Majithia N, et al. (2020). Scrambler Therapy for chemotherapy neuropathy: A randomised phase II pilot trial. Supportive Care in Cancer, 28(3), 1183–1197.
   Read article

7. Smith TJ, Razzak AR, Blackford AL, et al. (2020). A pilot randomised sham-controlled trial of MC5-A Scrambler Therapy in the treatment of chronic chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN). Journal of Palliative Care, 35(1), 53–58.
   Read article

8. Marineo G, Iorno V, Gandini C, Moschini V, Smith TJ. (2012). Scrambler Therapy may relieve chronic neuropathic pain more effectively than guideline-based drug management: Results of a pilot, randomised, controlled trial. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, 43(1), 87–95.
   Read article

9. Kashyap K, Bhatnagar S. (2020). Evidence for the efficacy of Scrambler Therapy for cancer pain: A systematic review. Pain Physician, 23(4), 349–363.
   Read article

10. Mealy MA, Kozachik SL, Cook LJ, et al. (2020). Scrambler Therapy improves pain in neuromyelitis optica: A randomised controlled trial. Neurology, 94(19), e1900–e1907.
    Read article

11. Wang EJ, Limerick G, D'Souza RS, et al. (2023). Scrambler Therapy for patients with complex regional pain syndrome: A case series. Journal of Palliative Medicine, 26(9), 1302–1306.
    Read article

12. Raucci U, Tomasello C, Marri M, et al. (2016). Scrambler Therapy® MC-5A for complex regional pain syndrome: Case reports. Pain Practice, 16(7), E103–E109.
    Read article

13. Wang EJ, D'Souza RS, Limerick G, et al. (2023). Safety of Scrambler Therapy: A systematic review of complications and adverse effects. Pain Medicine, 24(3), 325–340.
    Read article

14. Jin Y, Kim D, Hur J, Myung SK. (2022). Efficacy of Scrambler Therapy for chronic pain: A meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. Pain Physician, 25(6), E931–E939.
    Read article