Short-Term impacts of pulsed electromagnetic field therapy in middle-aged university's employees with non-specific low back pain: A pilot study.

Author: Abdelhalim NM1, Samhan AF2, Abdelbasset WK3
Affiliation:
1Nermeen Mohamed Abdelhalim, Department of Physical Therapy and Health Rehabilitation, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Alkharj City, Saudi Arabia.
2Ahmed FathySamhan, Department of Physical Therapy and Health Rehabilitation, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Alkharj City, Saudi Arabia.
3Walid Kamal Abdelbasset Department of Physical Therapy and Health Rehabilitation, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Alkharj City, Saudi Arabia.
Conference/Journal: Pak J Med Sci.
Date published: 2019 Jul-Aug
Other: Volume ID: 35 , Issue ID: 4 , Pages: 987-991 , Special Notes: doi: 10.12669/pjms.35.4.49. , Word Count: 192


Objective: Non-specific low back pain (non-specific LBP) is common problem between office-work employees. This study aimed to evaluate the short-term impacts of Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) therapy in the treatment of non-specific LBP symptoms as pain, back mobility, LBP disabilities, and Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQOL).

Methods: Forty-two University's employees with non-specific LBP and aged from 35 to 55 years who participated in this study from January to June 2018 were divided into two groups: group A; received PEMF therapy and group B; received sham treatment. The outcome measures were; numerical rating scale, Modified Oswestry LBP Disability Score, Modified Schober test, and the Short Form-36 questionnaire. Evaluations were performed for both groups before and after finishing treatment.

Results: All outcome measures were significantly improved statistically in the experimental group at the end of the intervention (p<0.05). On the other hand, there were non-significant differences in all outcome measures in the sham group (p>0.05).

Conclusions: PEMT therapy may decrease pain, LBP disability, increase lumbar spine mobility, and improve HRQOL in middle-aged university's employees with nonspecific LBP.

KEYWORDS: Health-Related Quality of Life; Non-specific Low Back Pain; Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy

PMID: 31372129 PMCID: PMC6659051 DOI: 10.12669/pjms.35.4.49

BACK