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

Abstract

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 ± 0.78, 204.5 ± 16.76 and 2.67 ± 0.9, 210.57 ± 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.

• Authors: Marwa M Eid, Nashwa Sayed Hamed, Walid Kamal Abdelbasset, Safaa Mostafa Elkholi, Hadaya M Eladl, Heba A Bahey El-Deen
• Journal: Medicine (Medicine (Baltimore)) Vol. 101 Issue 44 Pg. e31433 (Nov 04 2022) ISSN: 1536-5964 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 36343068 (Publication Type: Randomized Controlled Trial, Journal Article)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2022 the Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.

Topics

• Male
• Female
• Humans
• Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation
• Neuralgia, Postherpetic (therapy)
• Electromagnetic Fields
• Pain Measurement
• Sciatic Nerve
• Treatment Outcome