Effect of Pulsed Electromagnetic Field on Lower Extremity Peripheral Arterial Disorder in Type 2 Diabetic Patient: A Randomized Study.

Abstract

Background:Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) has been shown to be effective treatment for many conditions
as wound healing and pain relief. It is safe and non-invasive therapyandcould be employed as a complementary
therapy in the treatment of peripheral arterial disorder (PAD).
Purpose. To investigatethe effect of PEMFon endothelial function of the lower extremity PAD in patient with Type
2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM).
Methods. Randomized controlled trial.30 male patients ofT2DMWith age ranged from 50-60 years old, with lower
extremity PADand intermittent claudicationwere recruited randomly according to power analysis test and divided
into two equal groups;Group (A)received PEMFtherapy at a frequency of 10 Hz, the treatment was administered
for 20 min per session, 3 times per week for a period of 2 monthswith conventialphysical therapyGroup (B)
received High Intensity Interval training (HIIT) in the form of bicycle ergometer exercise for lower limb 3 times per
week for 2 months withconventialphysical therapy. Pre- and post-treatment assessment using Numerical Pain Rating
Scale (NPRS), ankle brachial index (ABI) and flow mediated dilatation percentage (FMD %) were done for all
patients.
Results.Within groups the analysis using 2x2 mixed design MANOVAshowed a statistically significant
improvementfor all measured variables (NPRS, ABI and FMD%)in both group (p<0.0001).Between groups, the
analysis revealedthere was no significant difference of the mean values ofthe NPRS"posttest” between both groups
with(p=0.857),there was significant difference of the mean values of ABI“posttest” between both groups with
(p=0.038) and this significant increase in favor to group A, and there was clinical difference and high percent of
improvement inFMD%in favor to group B.
Conclusion. PEMFtherapy has a significant effect on reducing pain and improving endothelial function in diabetic
patients with PAD.