PHARMACOLOGICAL AND NON-PHARMACOLOGICAL THERAPIES FOR THE TREATMENT OF CHRONIC PAIN IN PATIENTS WITH PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY: AN INTEGRATIVE REVIEW

Abstract

Chronic pain associated with peripheral neuropathy (PN) represents a significant challenge for clinical practice due to its complex nature and substantial impact on patients' quality of life. PN can result from several conditions, including diabetes mellitus, traumatic injuries, and autoimmune diseases, and is characterized by persistent, often disabling pain. Effective treatment of neuropathic pain involves a multimodal approach that combines pharmacological and nonpharmacological therapies. Pharmacological therapies include anticonvulsants, antidepressants, opioids, and topical anesthetics, while nonpharmacological therapies, such as physical therapy, transcutaneous electrical stimulation, and psychological management techniques, have shown promising results. However, the effectiveness of these approaches is still debated in the literature. This study performs an integrative review to evaluate the most effective pharmacological and nonpharmacological therapies in the treatment of chronic pain in patients with peripheral neuropathy, exploring their benefits, limitations, and underlying mechanisms.