Influence of Pulsed Magnetic Field Therapy on Hand Function Post Flexor Tendon Repair: A Randomized Controlled Trial

IntroductionPurpose: The study was conducted to investigate the influence of pulsed magnetic field therapy on hand function, grip and pinch grip strength in post flexor tendon repair patients.Material and methodsMethods: Fifty male patients with flexor tendon repair took part in this research, with ages ranging from 25 to 50 years. They were assigned randomly into two groups: Group A (experimental) received pulsed magnetic therapy together with exercise, whereas Group B (control) received only exercise. Evaluation of hand grip strength with Jamar hydraulic hand dynamometer, pinch strength with Baseline pinch gauge and hand function with Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire, all measurements were made before and after the treatment. They were received 16 sessions for 8 weeks (2 sessions/week).ResultsResults: 2 x2 mixed design MANOVA revealed that no significant difference between both groups pre- treatment and post treatment in MHOQ total, function, aesthetic (p>0.05) and in hand grip strength while there was a significant difference across groups after treatment in the strength of pinch grip, MHOQ ADL, pain and satisfaction p <0.05), there was also a significant difference between pre- and post-treatment within groups in all outcome measures. (p <0.05).ConclusionsConclusion: PMF increases the efficiency of physical therapy treatment and it also increases the strength of both hand grip and pinches grip in patients after flexor tendon repair in zone II.

Physical Therapy in Rheumatoid Arthritis

Introduction: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic and progressive inflammatory process resulting in the destruction of articular and periarticular tissues and leading to the development of functional impairment, permanent deformities and disability. RA affects approximately 1% of the global population and is more common in women than men. Aim: To assess the effects of physical therapy in RA patients. Material and Methods: The study assessed 21 patients with stage III/IV RA. They were managed with physical therapy, including thermotherapy, electrotherapy, laser therapy, magnetic field therapy and light therapy. The data collected in the study were statistically analysed. Results: After treatment, all study patients showed pain reduction, improved well-being, reduced duration of morning joint stiffness, improved ranges of motion in the joints and a better quality of life. Conclusions: 1. Rheumatoid arthritis is a difficult clinical and social problem. 2. The physical therapy used in the study reduced the pain experienced by the patients and the duration of morning joint stiffness and improved the ranges of motion and quality of life. 3. Physical therapy and rehabilitation constitute the main method of treatment of this disorder.

Use of magnetic field in equine physiotherapy – preliminary study

This study aimed to determine the efficacy of magnetic field therapy in equine rehabilitation and the use of thermography as a diagnostic tool providing visualisation of the healing progress. The material for the study was a 23-year-old Mur-Insulan mare used for many years as a horse for riding lessons. Magnetic field therapy was applied every second day for 60 minutes. During the survey, blood samples were taken three times. Thermograms were taken before and after each magnetic therapy sessions. Magnetic field therapy had no negative effects on the mare’s condition, which was supported by haematological blood samples analysis. Thermograms showed increased temperature within the examined front limbs and trunk. During the sessions, the mare was calm and relaxed, which indicates that the application of a magnetic field had a calming and soothing effect on the horse's body. The conclusion was that magnetic field therapy may improve regeneration, provides proper cell nutrition, faster bone symphysis, analgesia and could decrease swelling.

Use of magnetic field in equine physiotherapy – preliminary study

This study aimed to determine the efficacy of magnetic field therapy in equine rehabilitation and the use of thermography as a diagnostic tool providing visualisation of the healing progress. The material for the study was a 23-year-old Mur-Insulan mare used for many years as a horse for riding lessons. Magnetic field therapy was applied every second day for 60 minutes. During the survey, blood samples were taken three times. Thermograms were taken before and after each magnetic therapy sessions. Magnetic field therapy had no negative effects on the mare’s condition, which was supported by haematological blood samples analysis. Thermograms showed increased temperature within the examined front limbs and trunk. During the sessions, the mare was calm and relaxed, which indicates that the application of a magnetic field had a calming and soothing effect on the horse's body. The conclusion was that magnetic field therapy may improve regeneration, provides proper cell nutrition, faster bone symphysis, analgesia and could decrease swelling.

A Multicenter, Prospective, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind Study of a Novel Pain Management Device, AT-02, in Patients with Fibromyalgia

Objectives Existing treatments for fibromyalgia have limited efficacy, and only a minority of individuals clinically respond to any single intervention. This study was a prospective, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, controlled clinical trial to evaluate the feasibility of alternating magnetic field therapy in fibromyalgia patients by comparing the Angel Touch device (AT-02) with a sham control (S-01). Methods Two sites enrolled 44 subjects with diagnosed fibromyalgia. After informed consent, subjects taking prohibited concomitant drugs underwent a washout period of two or more weeks. All subjects then began a one-week run-in period. Numerical rating scale (NRS) pain scores were collected without device intervention for one day, followed by S-01 application to four or more painful sites for 10 minutes at each site, twice daily for six days. Subjects were then randomized to AT-02 or S-01, applied to four or more painful sites for 10 minutes at each site, twice daily for eight weeks. NRS scores were obtained twice daily during the entire treatment period. Results The primary end point (change in NRS ± SD at week 8 vs baseline) was –0.94 ± 1.33 in the AT-02 group and –0.22 ± 1.38 in the S-01 group. A trend toward a between-group difference in eight-week NRS scores favored the AT-02 group (–0.73, 95% confidence interval = –1.56 to 0.11, P = 0.086). An adjusted repeated measure analysis detected a significant difference in NRS scores (P = 0.039). Conclusions The reduction in NRS scores for AT-02 relative to sham was comparable to reductions observed in meta-analyses of fibromyalgia drug therapy. The unadjusted results and the persistence of the pain score reductions remain encouraging.