Effect of Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields on Clinical Signs and Quality of Life in Patients with Hemophilic Arthropathy of the Knee Joint: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Current Evidence Using Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields in Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review

(1) Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) significantly impacts patients' quality of life and negatively affects public healthcare costs. The aim of this systematic review is to identify the effectiveness of pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMFs) in OA treatment across different anatomical districts, determining pain reduction and overall improvement in the patient's quality of life. (2) Methods: In this systematic review following PRISMA guidelines, PubMed and Google Scholar were searched for randomized controlled trials involving patients with osteoarthritis undergoing PEMF therapy. Seventeen studies (1197 patients) were included. (3) Results: PEMF therapy demonstrated positive outcomes across various anatomical districts, primarily in knee osteoarthritis. Pain reduction, assessed through VAS and WOMAC scores, showed significant improvement (60% decrease in VAS, 42% improvement in WOMAC). The treatment duration varied (15 to 90 days), with diverse PEMF devices used. Secondary outcomes included improvements in quality of life, reduced medication usage, and enhanced physical function. (4) Conclusions: Diverse PEMF applications revealed promising results, emphasizing pain reduction and improvement in the quality of life of patients. The variability in the treatment duration and device types calls for further investigation. This review informs future research directions and potential advancements in optimizing PEMF therapies for diverse osteoarthritic manifestations.

Foam roller-based self-induced myofascial therapy in patients with hemophilic knee arthropathy: a multicenter, single-blind, randomized clinical study

BACKGROUND

Hemophilia is a congenital coagulopathy characterized by degenerative joint damage. Self-induced myofascial therapy aims to decrease pain and improve tissue mobility, functionality and proprioception.

AIM

The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of self-induced myofascial release in patients with hemophilic knee arthropathy.

DESIGN

This is a randomized clinical study.

SETTING

This study was carried out in different patient associations.

POPULATION

Fifty-two patients with hemophilia were included in the study.

METHODS

Patients were randomized to the experimental group (daily home protocol of foam roller-based self-induced myofascial therapy for 8 weeks) or the control group (no intervention). The variables were the frequency of hemarthrosis (self-reporting), pain intensity (visual analog scale), range of motion (goniometry) and muscle strength (dynamometry). All variables were evaluated at baseline, post-treatment and after a 10-week follow-up.

RESULTS

The patients included in the experimental group showed significant improvements in terms of a decrease in frequency of hemarthrosis (mean difference [MD]=-0.61; 95% confidence interval [CI]: -0.81; -0.41) and pain intensity (MD=-0.33; 95% CI: -0.48, -0.18), increased range of motion (MD=0.88; 95% CI: 0.39; 1.37), strength in quadriceps (MD=0.88; 95% CI: 0.39; 1.37). (MD=12.39; 95% CI: 3.44; 21.34) and hamstrings (MD=7.85; 95% CI: 0.60; 15.11). There were intergroup differences in the frequency of hemarthrosis (F=14.51; P<0.001), pain intensity (F=9.14; P<0.001) and range of motion (F=13.58; P<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Self-induced myofascial therapy can be an effective complementary technique in the treatment of patients with hemophilic arthropathy. Self-induced myofascial therapy can reduce the frequency of knee hemarthrosis in patients with hemophilia. This technique can improve pain intensity and range of motion in patients with hemophilic knee arthropathy.

CLINICAL REHABILITATION IMPACT

Hemophilic knee arthropathy is characterized by chronic pain, decreased range of motion, and periarticular muscle atrophy. Foam roller-based self-induced myofascial therapy can reduce the frequency of hemarthrosis and pain intensity and improve range of motion in patients with hemophilic arthropathy. Foam roller-based self-induced myofascial therapy is safe and effective in the treatment of patients with hemophilia. The inclusion of self-induced myofascial therapy exercises in the approach to degenerative joint pathologies may be an effective and safe treatment option.

Effects of Physical Therapy on Joint Pain, Joint Range of Motion, Joint Health, Strength, and Mobility in Patients With Hemophilia: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

This study investigated the effects of physical therapy, including exercise, manual therapy, and physical agent modality, on joints, muscle strength, and mobility of patients with hemophilia.

METHODS

PubMed, Embase, MEDLINE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Web of Science, and Scopus were searched from inception to September 10, 2022. Randomized controlled trials comparing pain, range of motion, and health of joints, as well as muscle strength and mobility (timed up and go test) between physical therapy and control groups were included.

RESULTS

Fifteen randomized controlled trials with 595 male patients with hemophilia were included. In comparisons between physical therapy and control groups, physical therapy significantly reduced joint pain (standardized mean difference = -0.87; 95% confidence interval, -1.14 to -0.60), increased joint range of motion (standardized mean difference = 0.24; 95% confidence interval, 0.14-0.35), enhanced joint health (standardized mean difference = -1.08; 95% confidence interval, -1.38 to -0.78), improved muscle strength (standardized mean difference = 1.42; 95% confidence interval, 1.16-1.69), and timed up and go test performance (standardized mean difference = -1.25; 95% confidence interval, -1.89 to -0.60). The comparisons demonstrate moderate to high evidentiary quality grades.

CONCLUSIONS

Physical therapy is effective in reducing pain, increasing joint range of motion, enhancing joint health, as well as improving muscle strength and mobility in patients with hemophilia.

TO CLAIM CME CREDITS

Complete the self-assessment activity and evaluation online at http://www.physiatry.org/JournalCME.

CME OBJECTIVES

Upon completion of this article, the reader should be able to: (1) Recognize the overall effectiveness of physical therapy for patients with hemophilia; (2) Determine how therapeutic exercise can help improve various outcomes of major joints in these patients; and (3) Appraise that physical therapy is safe and can be implemented in clinical practice for these patients.

LEVEL

Advanced.

ACCREDITATION

The Association of Academic Physiatrists is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.The Association of Academic Physiatrists designates this Journal-based CME activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s) ™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

The Efficacy of Physical Therapy Modalities in Patients With Hemophilia: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials With Meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the efficacy of different physical therapy interventions that could validate decisions taken by health care providers in the field of rehabilitation of patients with hemophilia according to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF), including body functions and structures, activity, and participation.

DATA SOURCES

Seven databases-PubMed, Cochrane Library, Scopus, Web of Science, Physiotherapy Evidence Database, Google Scholar, and Clinicaltrials.gov-were systematically searched for randomized controlled trials evaluating any physical therapy modality to manage hemophilia.

STUDY SELECTION

After abstract and full-text filtration, a methodological quality assessment was performed using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database scale for the studies that met the eligibility criteria.

DATA EXTRACTION

Relevant data were extracted from eligible studies and outcomes were categorized according to the ICF.

DATA SYNTHESIS

Using Review Manager and Microsoft Excel, a quantitative analysis using standardized mean differences with the 95% confidence interval was completed. Statistical heterogeneity between studies was explored using the I² test. A fixed effect model was applied to all data analyses. If heterogeneity was statistically significant, the Der Simonian and Laird random effects models were used instead.

RESULTS

35 randomized controlled trials with 1216 participants were included in this systematic review; 13 of them dealt with pediatric patients. Most of the studies were of good quality; 12 studies were of low quality. Meta-analysis showed a significant difference in favor of manual therapy, laser, and therapeutic exercises on selected outcomes of body function and structure, activity, and participation categories of the ICF model.

CONCLUSION

This systematic review recommends using manual therapy and therapeutic exercise modalities to improve join health status in combination with educational sessions to improve the quality of life of patients with hemophilic arthropathy. For pediatric patients with hemophilic arthropathy, using laser therapy is promising for improving functional capacity.

Adjunctive effect of pulsed electromagnetic field therapy on quadriceps muscle strength after burn injury

Purpose. This study was conducted to examine the effect of pulsed electromagnetic field therapy on quadriceps muscle strength after burn injury. Methods. From April 2021 to June 2022, sixty male patients who suffered from second degree lower limb thermal burn injury and Total body surface area (TBSA) from 25% to 35% participated in this study. Their ages ranged from (20-40) years. They were randomly assigned in two groups, a study group composed of 30 patients who received (PEMF) over thigh area before strengthening exercise for quadriceps muscle and a control group composed of 30 patients who received strengthening exercise for quadriceps muscle. Patients of both groups received traditional physical therapy program.. Evaluation tool was isokinetic dynamometer to measure the quadriceps muscle peak torque before the treatment and after 8 weeks of treatment for both groups. Results. There was no significant difference between both group (study and control) in mean values of quadriceps peak torque pre-treatment (P > 0.05). There was a significant increase in the mean values of quadriceps peak torque after 8 weeks of treatment in both groups (p < 0.05) while there was a significant difference in post treatment mean values of quadriceps peak torque in the study group when compared with control group (p < 0.05). Conclusion. Pulsed electromagnetic field therapy is an effective modality that can be used for improving muscle strength and performance in patients with lower limb burn when applied prior to strengthening exercise.