Effects of electrotherapy in neuropathic pain management in patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy: A narrative review

Abstract

Diabetes is one of the most prevalent diseases worldwide and Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy (DPN) is the most common neuropathic syndrome affecting approximately 50% of patients with type 2 diabetes. One of its main clinical manifestations is neuropathic pain, which significantly complicates the daily life of patients and leads to a low quality of life related to health. The aim of this review is to describe research data on the means of electrotherapy used and their effects in the treatment of pain in patients with DPN. The PubMed, PEDro, Scopus and Google Scholar databases were searched in English with the following keywords: Diabetic Painful Neuropathy, Low-level Laser Therapy, Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation, and Electromagnetic Fields. The review included 10 clinical studies published in the period of 2004-2019. Discussion-Conclusions: Low-power lasers, pulsed electromagnetic fields and Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) are treatment options for treating neuropathic pain in patients with DPN and are considered safe, effective, with minimal side effects compared to medication. However, diabetic neuropathic pain remains a challenge for health scientists. Although there is scientific evidence for the contribution of electrotherapy to its treatment, more focused research is needed.