Electrical Stimulation Therapy Using the MC5-A Scrambler in Reducing Peripheral Neuropathy Caused by Chemotherapy

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) meeting the following criteria: * More than 4 weeks since prior neurotoxic chemotherapy including taxanes (e.g., paclitaxel or docetaxel), platinum-based compounds (e.g., carboplatin, cis-platinum, oxaliplatin), vinca-alkaloids (e.g., vincristine, vinblastine, or vinorelbine), or proteosome inhibitors (e.g., bortezomib) * Pain or symptoms of peripheral neuropathy for ≥ 1 month attributed to CIPN * Pain stable for ≥ 2 weeks * Average daily pain rating of ≥ 5 out of 10 using the pain numerical rating scale (0 is no pain and 10 is worst pain possible) * No symptomatic brain metastases PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: * ECOG performance status 0-2 * Life expectancy ≥ 3 months * Not pregnant or nursing * Negative pregnancy test * Fertile patients must use effective contraception * No history of an allergic reaction or intolerance to transcutaneous electronic nerve stimulation * No pacemaker or implantable drug-delivery system (e.g., Medtronic Synchromed) * No heart stent or vena cava clips * No history of epilepsy or brain damage * No other identified causes of painful paresthesias existing before chemotherapy (e.g., radiation or malignant plexopathy, lumbar or cervical radiculopathy, pre-existing peripheral neuropathy of another etiology \[e.g., B12 deficiency, AIDS, monoclonal gammopathy, diabetes, heavy metal poisoning amyloidosis, syphilis, hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, inherited neuropathy, etc.\]) * No skin conditions (e.g., open sores) that would prevent proper application of the electrodes * No other medical or other conditions that, in the opinion of the investigators, might compromise the objectives of the study PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: * See Disease Characteristics * At least 30 days since prior and no concurrent investigational agents for pain control * More than 4 weeks since prior and no concurrent celiac plexus block or other neurolytic pain control treatment * No prior or concurrent anti-convulsants * No concurrent neurotoxic or potentially neurotoxic chemotherapy * Concurrent pain treatments allowed provided the following criteria are met: * Pain is not satisfactorily controlled * Dose of the other medication has been stable for ≥ 4 weeks