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Efficacy of pulsed electromagnetic wave versus low-level laser therapy in treatment of primary dysmenorrhea: a randomized trial
ORIGINAL ARTICLE | |
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Efficacy of pulsed electromagnetic wave versus low-level laser therapy in treatment of primary dysmenorrhea: a randomized trial
Eman Abd El Fatah Mohamed PhD
Department of Women Health, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Kafrelsheikh University, Cairo, Egypt
Abstract |
Primary dysmenorrhea is defined as pain during menstruation, and it affects participation in daily activities.
This study was conducted to compare and add evidence between the effect of pulsed electromagnetic wave and low-level laser therapy (LLLT) in the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea.
A total of 50 female students complained of primary dysmenorrhea, with age ranging from 16 to 22 years and BMI from 18.5 to 25 kg/m2. They were divided randomly into two equal groups − group A comprised 25 female students who received Pulsed electromagnetic field, and group B comprised 25 female students who received LLLT. Samples of blood were taken before and after treatment to detect the level of prostaglandins in blood. Present pain intensity scale (Ppi) is used for the assessment of pain before and after treatment.
There was a significant reduction (P<0.05), in prostaglandin level in both groups post-treatment; when comparing between groups there was no statistical significant difference (P>0.05), whereas there was a clinical difference in favor of group A. In addition, there was a statistically significant reduction (P=0.0001) post-treatment in Ppi scale in both groups. When comparing between both groups, there was a significant reduction (P=0.0001), in Ppi and this significant reduction was in favor of group A.
The results of this study suggested that both pulsed electromagnetic waves and LLLT are effective methods in the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea, with better effects of pulsed electromagnetic waves than LLLT.
How to cite this article: El Fatah Mohamed EA. Efficacy of pulsed electromagnetic wave versus low-level laser therapy in treatment of primary dysmenorrhea: a randomized trial. Bull Fac Phys Ther 2017;22:53-8 |
How to cite this URL: El Fatah Mohamed EA. Efficacy of pulsed electromagnetic wave versus low-level laser therapy in treatment of primary dysmenorrhea: a randomized trial. Bull Fac Phys Ther [serial online] 2017 [cited 2018 Oct 21];22:53-8. Available from: http://www.bfpt.eg.net/text.asp?2017/22/1/53/209882 |
Introduction | ![]() |
Dysmenorrhea is a common gynecological complaint among young females with a major effect on work efficiency and quality of life [1]. It is defined as pain during menstruation in females, always starting during adolescence; there are two types: primary and secondary dysmenorrhea [2]. Primary dysmenorrhea occurs without pelvic pathology [1],[2]; the most common symptoms are pain in the lower abdomen and back may reach to inner thighs, and other symptoms may occur such as breast tenderness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, and headache [3]. Primary dysmenorrhea causes are not accurately identified, but most complaints may be because of prostaglandins secretion, particularly (PGF2α). Prostaglandins are important stimulators of uterine contractility [4]. Excessive production of endometrial prostaglandins may be one of the main causes of strong uterine contractions and temporarily ischemia occurs in the uterus; this ischemia decreases uterine oxygen and results in severe abdominal pain [4]. There are alternative methods in physical therapy field such as TENS, Acupuncture, and heat application; low-level laser and aerobic exercise have an analgesic effect that can be used in the treatment of dysmenorrhea without side effects [5].
Pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) is an efficient modality used in physical therapy field for treatment of many pathological cases; PEMF has strong analgesic effect, anti-inflammatory effect, and has vasodilatation effect, as well as decreasing edema [6]. PEMF has an electric energy and generates series of magnetic pulses through the tissues, and each magnetic pulse induces a tiny electrical signal that stimulates cellular repair, suppressing inflammatory responses, alleviates pain, and increases range of motion [7]. PEMF helps in the reduction of pain perception and resolution of inflammation of musculoskeletal system [8]. It also enhances wound and bone healing, and stimulates neural tissue regeneration [9].
Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) is a noninvasive physical therapy modality that can reduce swelling, decrease pain sensation, treat acute injuries, and improve functional activity; LLLT is considered as a septic, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic modality, and it reduces pain through reducing inflammation. [3],[10]. Also, LLLT reduces pain through its effect on serotonin metabolism by increasing 5 hydroxyindoleacetic acid in urine [11]. LLLT has been used as an effective method of treating pain of primary dysmenorrhea [12].
To our knowledge, no study has yet compared magnetic field therapy (which has limited research supporting its use in dysmenorrhea) and LLLT (which is among the most common treatments for dysmenorrhea). Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate which modality gives better results in treating dysmenorrhea.
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Efficacy of pulsed electromagnetic wave versus low-level laser therapy in treatment of primary dysmenorrhea: a randomized trial
Background
Primary dysmenorrhea is defined as pain during menstruation, and it affects participation in daily activities.
Objective
This study was conducted to compare and add evidence between the effect of pulsed electromagnetic wave and low-level laser therapy (LLLT) in the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea.
Participants and methods
A total of 50 female students complained of primary dysmenorrhea, with age ranging from 16 to 22 years and BMI from 18.5 to 25 kg/m2. They were divided randomly into two equal groups − group A comprised 25 female students who received Pulsed electromagnetic field, and group B comprised 25 female students who received LLLT. Samples of blood were taken before and after treatment to detect the level of prostaglandins in blood. Present pain intensity scale (Ppi) is used for the assessment of pain before and after treatment.
Results
There was a significant reduction (P<0.05), in prostaglandin level in both groups post-treatment; when comparing between groups there was no statistical significant difference (P>0.05), whereas there was a clinical difference in favor of group A. In addition, there was a statistically significant reduction (P=0.0001) post-treatment in Ppi scale in both groups. When comparing between both groups, there was a significant reduction (P=0.0001), in Ppi and this significant reduction was in favor of group A.
Conclusion
The results of this study suggested that both pulsed electromagnetic waves and LLLT are effective methods in the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea, with better effects of pulsed electromagnetic waves than LLLT.
Keywords: dysmenorrhea, low-level laser therapy, prostaglandin, pulsed electromagnetic waves
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High-intensity laser therapy (HILT) versus pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) in the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea
High-intensity laser therapy (HILT) versus pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) in the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea
- In the HILT group prior to the application of treatment was moderate for 4 cases (15.4%), severe for 13 (50%), and unbearable for 9 (34.6%). While after treatment there was no pain was reported after treatment for 11 cases (42.3), mild pain for 12 (46.2%), and moderate pain for 3 (11.5%). This indicates an enhancement percentage of 78.1%.
- While for the PEMF group prior to the application of treatment, pain severity was moderate for 3 cases (11.5%), severe for 13 (50%), and unbearable for 10 (42.3%), while after treatment no pain was reported for 6 cases (23.1%), mild pain for 8 (30.8%), and moderate pain for 12 (46.2%). This indicates an enhancement percentage of 62.4%
Pulsed Electromagnetic Therapy Endomitriosis
Eur J Surg Suppl. 1994;(574):83-6.
Electrochemical therapy of pelvic pain: effects of pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMF) on tissue trauma.
Jorgensen WA, Frome BM, Wallach C.
Source
International Pain Research Institute, Los Angeles, California.
Abstract
Unusually effective and long-lasting relief of pelvic pain of gynaecological origin has been obtained consistently by short exposures of affected areas to the application of a magnetic induction device producing short, sharp, magnetic-field pulses of a minimal amplitude to initiate the electrochemical phenomenon of electroporation within a 25 cm2 focal area. Treatments are short, fasting-acting, economical and in many instances have obviated surgery. This report describes typical cases such as dysmenorrhoea, endometriosis, ruptured ovarian cyst, acute lower urinary tract infection, post-operative haematoma, and persistent dyspareunia in which pulsed magnetic field treatment has not, in most cases, been supplemented by analgesic medication.
Of 17 female patients presenting with a total of 20 episodes of pelvic pain, of which 11 episodes were
acute, seven chronic and two acute as well as chronic, 16 patients representing 18 episodes (90%)
experienced marked, even dramatic relief, while two patients representing two episodes reported le
ss than complete pain relief.
Presentation and clinical course of endometriosis
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International Pain Research Institute, Los Angeles, California.
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