Comparative Effects of Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy and Radio Frequency on Pain and Functional Disability in Patients with Chronic Low Back Pain
Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy & Radiofrequency in LBP
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.55735/hjprs.v3i8.173Keywords:
chronic low back pain, pulsed electromagnetic field therapy, radiofrequency, visual analogue scaleAbstract
Background: With a lifetime occurrence of 51 to 84%, globally the leading cause of disability is low back pain. The occurrence of 5 to 10% of cases is responsible for the highly valued treatments, indisposed leaves and individuals’ intolerance having chronic low back pain. Objective: To compare the effects of pulsed electromagnetic field therapy and radiofrequency with a standardized exercise plan for patients with chronic low back pain. Method: A randomized controlled trial on the patients of chronic low back pain was conducted at physiotherapy clinics of Venus Aesthetics DHA Lahore. A sample of 70 patients was enrolled in the study using non-probability convenient sampling and allocated into two groups. The patients were assessed at baseline, 4th and 8th weeks for pain and disability index. The pain was rated using a visual analog scale, while disability was assessed using the Oswestry Disability Index. Data has been collected at the baseline, after 4 weeks and then followed up after 8 weeks. Group A was given pulsed electromagnetic therapy with conventional physiotherapy which includes knee to chest, bridging calf stretch, knee rotation, back extension and cat and cow posture. Group B was given conventional physiotherapy sessions with radiofrequency. The categorical data was presented as frequency and percentages and quantitative using mean and standard deviations. The groups were compared using Friedman ANOVA and Mann Whitney U test for within and between groups respectively at (CI 95%) p-value <0.05. Results: The study comprised 34.3% male and 65.7% female in Group A and 47.2% male and 52.8% female in the other group. Group A given pulsed therapy showed more improvement in functional disability and a decrease in pain than Group B treated with radiofrequency. In group A analysis showed a significant difference in improving pain and functional disability at week 4 with a significant difference at p-value<0.05. Conclusion: It showed results in improving pain and functional disability and presented with long-term goals when combined with the physiotherapy exercise plan. Radiofrequency is also effective but results are only temporary. Thus, radiofrequency does not support to treatment of patients having chronic low back pain.
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