Physiotherapeutic resources in the treatment of oncological pain: literature review

Abstract

The non-pharmacological treatment of cancer pain has been little explored and yet little used. Lack of a scientific support for the use of physiotherapeutic resources and, in some cases, the ignorance about the existence of such resources has hindered their implementation as effective tools for the treatment of cancer pain. However, these non invasive methods can be of great help to patients suffering from cancer pain. This study aims at reviewing the literature on the subject in search of more information about some physiotherapeutic resources to the treatment of oncological pain. The most common resources recommended for the treatment of cancer pain are: transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation (TENS), thermotherapy, cryotheraphy, therapeutic massage and therapeutic exercise together with specific guidelines offered to patients, caretakers and families. Cancer patients can greatly benefit from the association of physiotherapeutic resources with the pharmacological treatment. This association can help reduce the use of analgesic medication, thus minimizing the side effects caused by long term medication. However, the results of this review of the literature demonstrate that the studies on the subject developed so far are not enough to recommend or reject the use of those resources for the treatment of oncological pain. The issue demands more research and appropriate methodology to allow physical therapy to better develop its evidencebased practice.