PRELIMINARY RESULTS OF BIOWAVE® PERCUTANEOUS ELECTRICAL NERVE STIMULATION IN POST-HERPETIC NEURALGIA: DATA FROM A STRUCTURED 30-DAY PROTOCOL

L. Ventura, F. Cassini, A. Berardi | University Hospital "SS. Antonio e Biagio e Cesare Arrigo", Alessandria

INTRODUCTION.
Post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN) is a chronic neuropathic condition often resistant to pharmacological and infiltrative therapies^1,2. BioWave^® percutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (PENS) provides a non-pharmacological neuromodulation approach. In our center, BioWave^® PENS was used both in patients refractory to standard treatments and in those at risk for infiltrative procedures^2-4.
METHODS.
Two patients with thoracic PHN completed a 30-day treatment, structured as follows^3-5: 1. BioWavePRO^® session with microneedle electrodes; 2. 13-day at home stimulation with BioWaveGO^® and adhesive electrodes; 3. second BioWavePRO^® session; 4. further 13-day BioWaveGO® at home individual use. Evaluations occurred on days 28–30 and via phone on day 60; the primary outcome to assess was pain intensity (NRS 0–10), further secondary outcomes estimated included relief duration, daily NRS, adherence, adverse events, and satisfaction with the process.
RESULTS.
Two patients with thoracic post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN) completed the full BioWave^® PENS protocol, which comprised two in-clinic sessions using microneedle electrodes and two 13-day home therapy phases with transcutaneous electrodes. Regarding the primary outcome, both patients experienced a reduction in pain intensity, measured by the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS). Patient 1 (male, 85 years) showed a reduction from NRS 5 to 3.5. Patient 2 (female, 77 years) reported a complete resolution of pain, with NRS decreasing from 6 to 0 within the first eight days of treatment. Both patients reported consistent pain relief after each session, lasting up to 12 hours in one case and exceeding 24 hours in the other. Daily NRS diaries showed a progressive reduction and stabilization of pain. Adherence was optimal (100%), with no adverse events. The treatment was well tolerated and easy to use. Patients reported having improved sleep and better performance through daily activities, and perceived a clear benefit despite unchanged pharmacological therapy.
CONCLUSIONS
The BioWave^® PENS protocol was safe, well tolerated, and effective in PHN patients, including those unsuitable for infiltrative procedures. sustained relief and high satisfaction support further study.