healthbriefs
Neurofeedback Found to Decrease Chronic Pain for Cancer Patients
A
new study evaluating the use of neurofeedback found a decrease in the experience of chronic pain and increase in quality of life in patients with neuropathic pain. Scientists identi- fied the location of brain activity that contributes to the physical and emotional aspects of chronic pain, which allowed patients to modify their own brain activity through electroencephalo- gram (EEG) biofeedback. EEG tracks and records brain wave patterns by attach- ing small metal discs with thin wires on the scalp, and then sending signals to a computer to record the results. Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy is very common in cancer patients and there is currently only one medication approved to treat it. The EEG treat- ment is customized to the individual, and is relatively inexpensive, non-invasive and non-addictive.
Chronic chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a common side effect of chemotherapy, often affecting 71 to 96 percent of patients after a month of chemotherapy treatment. Peripheral neuropathy is a set of symptoms such as pain, burning, tingling and loss of feeling caused by damage to nerves that control the sensations and movements of our arms and legs. Neuroplasticity is the ability of the brain to form new connections and change existing ones. This study demonstrated that neurofeedback induces neuroplasticity to modulate brain activ- ity and improve CIPN symptoms. After treatment was completed, the participants repeated the EEG and as- sessments to determine changes in pain perception, cancer-related symptoms and general quality of life. EEG patterns showed cortical activity characterized by increased activation in the parietal and frontal sites compared to a normal popu- lation. After controlling for baseline levels, neurofeedback significantly reduced pain; numbness; intensity and unpleasantness, and reduced how much pain inter- fered with daily activities. After treatment, 73 percent saw improvement in their pain and quality of life.
Source: University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center.
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New Treatment for Concussion C
utting a new edge in the field of concus- sion and traumatic brain injury, the HOPE Laser In- stitute, in Easton, has developed a
patent-pending protocol that can ef- fectively treat the deficits of concussion. HOPE is a pioneer in photobiomodula- tion (PBM), or low-level cold laser ther- apy (LLLT). This painless, non-invasive treatment has scientific research and pre/post testing that supports patients’ results. LLLT uses light to stimulate cells to function properly and repair damaged tissue. PBM has been used for more than 50 years and has a host of research concerning its ability to address in- flammation and increasing blood flow with capillary dilation. The use of PBM decreases scar tissue and stimulates cells to produce adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the currency of energy that our cells use to perform. Mary T. Chicchi and Adele Lu-
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