A randomized controlled study compared the impact of the electromagnetic field and shock wave therapy on the functional capacities and level of pain in older adults with lumbar disc prolapse.
In individuals with lumbar discogenic lesions, electromagnetic waves and shock wave therapy have a comparable effect on functional decline. For pain reduction, the shock wave is less effective than electromagnetic waves.
A randomized controlled study compared the impact of the electromagnetic field and shock wave therapy on the functional capacities and level of pain in older adults with lumbar disc prolapse.
Overall, 48 elderly people (55-75 years of age) with lumbar discs were incorporated and divided into 3 groups at random (2 study groups and 1 control group). Only conventional physical treatment was provided to the control group A. Study group C got shock waves in addition to traditional physical therapy, while study group B received electromagnetic waves along with conventional physical therapy (exercises, transcutaneous nerve stimulation [TENS], moist hot pack).
Primary outcomes included functional disability assessment using the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and pain assessment using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). In all three groups, the endpoints were evaluated for each subject before and after a 4-week treatment program (three sessions per week).
After 4 weeks of therapy, there was no discernible difference between groups A and C in any of the evaluated variables (ODI and VAS). There was a significant decline in all assessed variables in group B compared to group A following treatment and in group B contrasted to group C following treatment for the pain variable only.
In older individuals with lumbar disc herniation, both electromagnetic fields and shock wave treatment led to similar improvements in functional impairment. Additionally, electromagnetic therapy was superior to shock wave therapy in terms of pain relief.
NILES journal for Geriatric and Gerontology
Comparative study between shock wave therapy and electromagnetic waves on pain and function in patients with lumbar disc prolapse: A randomized controlled trial
Maha Mostafa Mokhtar et al.
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