Electromagnetic fields in the treatment of chronic lower back pain in patients with degenerative disc disease

Multidisciplinary and Nonpharmacological Management of Pain in Temporomandibular Disorders (TMDs)

Temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMD) is not a single diagnosis, but a term covering a group of conditions that involve pain and dysfunction of the masticatory muscles within the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and associated structures. It is a set of disease entities comprising various ailments and clinical symptoms. One of the most distressing symptoms for TMD patients is pain. Pain is subjective and always unpleasant. The VAS (visual analogue scale) was used in this research. The aim of this study was to assess the influence of physical stimuli, namely extremely low frequency magnetic field (ELF-MF) and LED light, on the experience of pain caused by increased tension in the masticatory muscles in adults. Out of 150 people examined, 104 were enrolled in the study after meeting the eligibility criteria. The study group was divided into 4 subgroups. Each subgroup received physical therapy treatment using a different physical stimulus. The effects of four therapeutic modalities were compared. In terms of VAS scores, pain attenuation was observed in all subgroups. The study confirmed the analgesic effect of the selected physical therapy methods. The authors focused on the analysis of the results obtained for each subgroup, comparing the effects of individual modalities on pain intensity (according to VAS scores). After the treatment, pain relief was observed in each of the studied subgroups. Treatment using ELF-MF and ELF-MF in combination with LED light in the course of TMD brings about a significant improvement in the subjective pain experience expressed in VAS pain scores. The use of selected physical stimuli and their beneficial effect on pain symptoms during mandibular movements has important implications for patients' daily life and work. Incorporation of therapeutic methods can help enhance patient satisfaction and comfort during manual TMJ therapy and lengthy dental procedures.

Physiotherapeutic Reduction of Orofacial Pain Using Extremely Low-Frequency Electromagnetic Field and Light-Emitting Diode Therapy-A Pilot Study

INTRODUCTION

Pain is a natural response of the body to injury and one of the symptoms defining an inflammatory reaction. It is almost always present after orthognathic surgeries (OGS), but its severity is subjective in each patient. Postoperative care of the patient is aimed at minimizing of postoperative pain relief orofacial region. Options of physiotherapy include extremely low-frequency electromagnetic field (ELF EMF) and high-energy light-emitting diode (LED). Aim of the Study. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of physiotherapy combining ELF EMF and LED to reduce pain of the orofacial region in patients after OGS. Material and Methods. The study was conducted in thirty-two patients who underwent OGS to treat morphological defects. The participants were randomly divided into two groups: Physiotherapy group (PT) and Control group (CG). In both groups, patients were prescribed Paracetamol and nonsteroidal analgesics (NSAID-ibuprofen). Patients from the PT group additionally received postoperative physiotherapy immediately after leaving the surgical clinic in the form of ELF EMF and LED therapy. Physiotherapeutic treatments were performed for 10 days, three applications a day, at no cost to the patient. Pain intensity was assessed using the visual analogue scale (VAS), which is a reliable instrument for the measurement of pain intensity self-reported by the patient.

RESULTS

Faster reduction of pain was the major observation made in patients who received physiotherapy treatments. In all subjects, after 5 days of therapy, the pain intensity was reduced by about 50% or resolved completely. Effects of therapy were measured with the relative changes in the pain intensity score, showing what fraction of the initial pain was eliminated at the first stage and throughout the whole therapy. The analysis of relative changes instead of absolute changes allowed us, among other things, to eliminate the bias of the higher initial pain intensity in the CG group compared to the PT group.

CONCLUSIONS

The conducted research revealed that the combined use of ELF EMF and LED is beneficial in the reduction of pain of patients after OGS. The analgesic effects of physiotherapy in the treatment after OGS are necessary to continue research in this area and analyze the possibility of extending the indications for its use in other surgically treated maxillofacial diseases.

An Open-Label Pilot Study Investigating Noninvasive High-Frequency Peripheral Nerve Fiber Stimulation in Chronic Pain

OBJECTIVE

Providing sustained and effective treatment via the peripheral nervous system for the management of chronic pain is challenging. Application of noninvasive high-frequency stimulation at or near the painful area may benefit those with chronic pain. This open-label pilot survey examined the impact of this stimulation on pain intensity, activities of daily living, functional capacity, and medication consumption after 2 weeks of treatment.

METHODS

Stimulation was administered at home using the summation of two high-frequency sinusoidal alternating signals at 3858 and 3980 Hz delivered between two electrodes placed directly over one or two locations of pain. Individuals completed a survey after 2 weeks to assess pain, activities of daily living (ADL), pain medication consumption, quality of life (QoL), mood, sleep, functional outcomes, and satisfaction.

RESULTS

463 individuals (372 males; 91 females) retuned the completed survey after 2 weeks of treatment. Pain and ADL scores significantly improved at follow-up compared with baseline (pain mean difference: 3.05; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.86, 3.24; ADL mean difference: 1.82; 95% CI: 1.60, 2.04). Corresponding improvements in QoL, sleep, mood, functional outcomes, and satisfaction were noted. On average, 8.00 ± 11.11 hours of pain relief were reported with 54% experiencing reductions in pain medication consumption. 98% would use the stimulation in the future.

CONCLUSION

Two weeks of noninvasive high-frequency peripheral nerve fiber stimulation appeared to confer positive effects in individuals with chronic pain. Future research employing a control group/arm is needed to establish the long-term impact of this bioelectric technique in specific pain cohorts.

Comparative Analysis of the Influence of Selected Physical Factors on the Level of Pain in the Course of Temporomandibular Joint Disorders

Introduction

Temporomandibular joints (TMJs) play a very significant function in the activity of the locomotor system of the masticatory system. But they are often a source of pain, myopathy, myoarthropathy, and malfunction of their surrounding or internal structures. The treatment of a patient's discomfort associated with masticatory system dysfunctions strongly depends on their cause. Aim of the Study. The objective of the study was to evaluate the impact of selected physical factors: LED light therapy with electromagnetic field and cryotherapy for the level of pain, in the treatment of patients suffering from temporomandibular disorders (TMDs).

Materials and Methods

The study included 60 patients of both genders with diagnosed TMD in a clinical trial. The participants were randomly divided into two groups. Each group consisted of 30 people and was subjected to separate therapies in which LED light therapy with electromagnetic field (MLT) and cryotherapy (CT) were applied.

Results

Having assessed the results of the author's own research in terms of analgesic activity, determined on the VAS scale during the daily routine activity of the mandible and its individual movements, in general, each of the studied groups demonstrated a considerable decrease in the level of the patients' perception of pain (<0.001). Having compared both the therapeutic methods used, a greater reduction in the level of perceived pain was achieved with MLT (p=0.002). The type of therapy used turned out to be the only significant factor for the magnitude of this reduction.

Conclusions

Conclusions based on the results of our own research indicate that the selected methods of treatment demonstrate an analgesic effect in terms of the overall discomfort in the course of TMD, and that they may be an alternative pain relief thereby reducing the patient's intake of painkillers.

Efficacy of Pulsed Low-Frequency Magnetic Field Therapy on Patients with Chronic Low Back Pain: A Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial

Study Design

A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial.

Purpose

To investigate the efficacy of pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) therapy combined with therapeutic exercises in the treatment of chronic low back pain (CLBP).

Overview of Literature

Low back pain (LBP) is the most common musculoskeletal pain disorder. Most available interventions for CLBP have modestly beneficial outcomes. Despite the potential effect of PEMF therapy on LBP, there have been few studies regarding its effectiveness.

Methods

Forty-two patients (22 males, 20 females), were randomized into either the treatment group (PEMF and therapeutic exercises) or placebo group (sham PEMF and exercises). Primary outcome measures were pain intensity on the 10-point Numeric PainRating Scale and disability measured by the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire. The patients were assessed at baseline, during the treatment period (weeks 3, 6, and 9), and after treatment (week 13).

Results

The treatment group experienced a more rapid improvement in both pain and disability compared with the placebo group. The analysis showed a significant improvement in the pain intensity and disability scores in the treatment group at week 3 (p<0.05), whereas an improvement in the placebo group was detected at week 6. The significant improvement in both groups was sustained for weeks 6, 9, and 13. There was no difference between the groups in scores of pain intensity and disability at weeks 6 and 13.

Conclusions

PEMF therapy improved pain and disability in patients with CLBP. However, it does not seem to be superior to other treatment options.