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.

Assessment of Knowledge, Attitudes, and Perception of Health Care Workers Regarding COVID-19, A Cross-Sectional Study from Egypt.

Healthcare workers (HCWs) are at the frontline defense against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Inadequate knowledge and incorrect attitudes among HCWs can directly influence practices and lead to delayed diagnosis, poor infection control practice, and spread of disease. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, perception, and attitude of the Egyptian HCWs towards the COVID-19 disease. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in Egypt, among 407 HCWs using a self-administered questionnaire. The mean correct answer rate was 80.4% with a mean knowledge score of 18.5 ± 2.7 out of 24. A positive correlation between knowledge and attitude scores was detected (r = 0.215, p < 0.001). About 83.1% of our participants reported that they were afraid of being infected with COVID-19, and 89.2% stated that they were more susceptible to COVID-19 infection as compared to others. Unavailability of personal protective equipment (PPE), fear of transmitting the disease to their families, and social stigma were the most frequently reported reasons for increased risk perception. The overall knowledge level of HCWs was generally good especially among physicians. A positive attitude was detected among allied health professionals more than physicians. Risk perception was high among HCWs. Causes of increased risk perception need to considered by the government and the Egyptian Ministry of Health.

Pedometer-based gait training in children with spastic hemiparetic cerebral palsy: a randomized controlled study.

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of pedometer-based gait training on changing gait parameters in children with spastic hemiparetic cerebral palsy. DESIGN: Two group randomized controlled trial with pre-treatment and post-treatment measures. SETTING: Rehabilitation clinics. SUBJECTS: Thirty spastic hemiparetic children with cerebral palsy of both sexes (13 females and 17 males) ranging in age from six to eight years old with mean age 7.05 ± 0.78 years. INTERVENTIONS: Children were randomized equally to receive pedometer-based gait training or a traditional gait training programme three times per week for three successive months. MAIN MEASURES: Assessment was done before and after three months of treatment application using 3D motion analysis system with six pro-reflex cameras to evaluate spatiotemporal gait parameters. The primary outcome measure was the walking velocity while the secondary outcome measures were stride length, cadence and cycle duration. RESULTS: There was a high statistically significant improvement in favour of the study group more than the control group concerning all the measured gait parameters. T-test results showed that velocity was 0.68 ± 0.09 m/sec (0.26 ± 0.07 change score) for study group and 0.42 ± 0.11 m/sec (0.06 ± 0.05 change score) for control group (t = 6.2) (P < 0.0001) while cadence was much less significant 124.3 ± 4.3 step/min (-5.8 ± 2.1 change score) for study group and 128.7 ± 4.1 step/min (-0.86 ± 0.05 change score) for control group (t = 2.8) (P < 0.008). CONCLUSION: Pedometer-based gait training is a useful tool that can be used in improving gait parameters in children with spastic hemiparetic cerebral palsy.