A comparative study between transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation and pulsed electromagnetic field therapy in the management of post-herpetic neuralgia of the sciatic nerve.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the efficacy of pulsed electromagnetic field therapy (PEMFT) versus transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) in the treatment of post-herpetic neuralgia of the sciatic nerve. METHODS: A double-blinded randomized clinical study has included 56 patients (18 males and 38 females). Participants were randomly and equally assigned into 2 groups. Both groups received conventional physical therapy treatment. Moreover, group (A) has an additional TENS, and group (B) had PEMFT. Both modalities were applied once daily, 3 times a week for 20 minutes for 8 successive weeks. Visual analog scale (VAS) and carbamazepine intake (CMI) dose have been assessed before and after interventions. RESULTS: There was a significant decrease in VAS and CMI post-treatment in group A and B compared with that pretreatment (P > .001). The percent decrease in VAS and CMI in group A were 72.44% and 69.47% respectively and that for group B was 68.95% and 67.94% respectively. The findings revealed a non-significant difference in VAS and CMI (P > .05) between groups. The Means of VAS and CMI were (2.4 ±â€…0.78, 204.5 ±â€…16.76 and 2.67 ±â€…0.9, 210.57 ±â€…16.5) in group A and group B respectively. The mean difference for VAS and CMI was (-0.27 and -6.07) between groups post-treatment respectively. CONCLUSION: Both TENS and PEMFT were effective and nearly equivalent in improving the post-herpetic neuralgia of the sciatic nerve as measured by in VAS and CMI. Clinical recommendations should be highlighted to instigate the using of TENS and PEMFT in the management of post-herpetic neuralgia of the sciatic nerve.

Effect of adding a supervised physical therapy exercise program to photobiomodulation therapy in the treatment of cervicogenic somatosensory tinnitus: A randomized controlled study.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effectiveness of adding a supervised physical therapy exercise program to photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) in the treatment of cervicogenic somatosensory tinnitus (CST). METHODS: Forty patients suffering from CST with age 45-55 years were included in the study. They were assigned randomly into 2 groups, 20 per each. (Study group) Group (A) received a supervised physical therapy exercise program in addition to 20 minutes PBMT with a 650-nanometer wavelength and a 5 milliWatt power output, spot size of 1 cm2, and energy density of 6 Joules, 3 sessions per week for 8 consecutive weeks, plus traditional medical treatment. While (control group), group (B) received the same PBMT protocol, 3 sessions per week for 8 consecutive weeks in addition to the traditional medical treatment. Tinnitus visual analog scaling (VAS), tinnitus handicap inventory (THI), and cervical range of motion (ROM) were measured at baseline and after 8 weeks. RESULTS: Mixed MANOVA showed a statistically significant reduction in tinnitus VAS, THI, and a significant improvement in cervical ROM (flexion, extension, right bending, left bending, right rotation, and left rotation) in favor of Group A (P < .05). There was a significant decrease in posttreatment VAS treatment (P > .001) MD [-2.05(-2.68:-1.41)], and THI relative to pretreatment mean difference [-5.35(-8.51: -2.19)] and a significant increase in posttreatment neck ROM in Groups A and B relative to pretreatment neck ROM (P > .001). Flexion range posttreatment MD[3.65(1.64:5.65)], Extension MD [6.55(1.35:11.75)], right bending MD[3.8(2.51:5.08)], left bending MD[1.75(0.19:3.3)], right rotation MD [3.5(1.28:5.71)] and left rotation [2.75(0.67:4.82)]. CONCLUSIONS: Adding a supervised physical therapy exercise program to PBMT showed positive and beneficial effects in the treatment of CST using VAS, THI, and Cervical ROM assessment tools.