BACKGROUND: Chronic pain is a common and distressing symptom associated with atypical parkinsonian disorders (APD); however, current pain treatment methods are often unsatisfactory. Scrambler therapy (ST), a noninvasive method of cutaneous electroanalgesia, can be an effective modality in treating chronic neuropathic pain in APD.

CASE REPORT: We reviewed 7 consecutive patients with APD (2 with multiple system atrophy, 5 with corticobasal syndrome) who received ST to treat severe, refractory neuropathic pain. After ST treatment, reported pain scores were significantly reduced in all 7 patients, often to 0/10. Pain relief was immediate and lasted from weeks to months, and in 2 cases, up to 2 years. No adverse effects related to ST were reported.

CONCLUSIONS: ST appears to be highly effective in providing immediate and sustained pain relief and thus may represent a novel, noninvasive pain treatment modality in APD. Future prospective studies are warranted to further assess its efficacy.

KEYWORDS: Atypical parkinsonian disorders, case series, central pain, chronic pain, quality of life, scrambler therapy