Comparative Study of Ultrasound Therapy and Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) Therapy in Cases of Tennis Elbow

Background: Tennis elbow is a syndrome of insidious onset with tenderness, pain in movement and decline in grip strength. Pulsed Electromagnetic Therapy (PEMF) and ultrasonic therapies (U.S. therapies) are proving adjuncts for enhancing fracture healing, reducing inflammation and symptom relief to varied extent in different reports. The benefit of two therapy regimens in tennis elbow is comparatively evaluated in patient of our region. Methods: 60 patients sequentially enrolled following informed consent were administered either PEMF or ultrasound therapy daily for 6 weeks. Parameters examined were pain score, pressure pain threshold (PPT) and pain free grip strength (PFGS). . Results: It was found that either of the therapies PEMF and U.S.therapy significantly improved the three tested parameters. The relative improvement in pain score between two treatment groups did not significantly differ. PEMF give significantly higher gain in PPT and very marked gain in PFGS as compared to U.S. therapy. Conclusion: PEMF therapy was found to yield significantly superior relief than ultrasound therapy in patient of lateral epicondylitis with respect to pain, pressure pain threshold (PPT) and pain free grip strength (PFGS). Improvement in pain score was similar in two groups.

Comparison of Conventional Physiotherapy with Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy in Breast Cancer Patients with Lymph-Edema

Background: Lymphedema in addition to arm pain and movement restriction following breast cancer surgery is common challenge to physiotherapy. PEMF therapy is proving good adjunct for enhancing fracture healing, reducing inflammation and symptom relief. The same is exempt for benefit in stated problems of post-breast cancer surgery patients. Methods: 60 patients each were sequentially enrolled following informed consent, administering either conventional physiotherapy or combined PEMF therapy with conventional physiotherapy for 3 weeks. The parameters examined were pain score, range of movement and arm circumference for edema. Results: Physiotherapy benefited pain and range of movement but not lymphedema. PEMF combined therapy significantly reduced lymphedema in addition to other benefits. Conclusions: PEMF therapy with reported bioenergetic effects appears to effect reduction of lymphedema as well as pain relief and betterment of joint movements. The study emphasizes need for establishing PEMF as adjunct root in therapy for the kind of patients. This would need larger and wider evaluation.