Efficacy Of Low Frequency Low Intensity Pulsed Magnetic Field On Fatigue In Persons With Multiple Sclerosis. A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Abstract

Background: Fatigue is the most common symptom of multiple sclerosis (MS). It occurs in 75 percent to 95
percent of patients with MS. Fatigue occurs at all stages of the disease. The symptom is not related to the severity
or to the duration of MS.
Aim:The aim of current study was to investigate the efficacy of pulsed Magnetic field on Fatigue in persons with
Multiple Sclerosis.
Methods:Thirty persons with Multiple Sclerosis from both sexes represented the sample of this study. They were
recruited from the outpatient clinics, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University and Multiple Sclerosis
specialized clinic in the Neurology department, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University. The person’s age ranged
from twenty to forty years. They were assigned randomly into two equal groups; the study group (GA) and the
control group (GB).The assessment of fatigue is conducted before and after treatment for both groups by Fatigue
Severity Scale(FSS) and Fatigue Assessment Scale(FAS). Assessment of Multiple Sclerosis symptoms was
conducted before and after treatment for both groups by Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS). Study group
(GA) treated by pulsed magnetic field (Low intensity and low frequency) applied on cranium in addition to a
selected physical therapy program for fatigue for persons with Multiple sclerosis . Control group (GB) treated by
the same program of treatment for Fatigue only as the (GA) without pulsed magnetic field. The duration of
treatment was six weeks, three times weekly,and day after day.
Results:Comparison of the mean value of each variable pre and post treatment in each group revealed a significant
improvement in all different parameters in both groups; however comparison between post results of both groups
revealed that the study group (GA) showed a significant improvement compared to the control group (GB) in all
different variables (p <0.05 for all).
Conclusion: Application of pulsed magnetic field with low intensity and low frequency had a positive effect in
decreasing MS fatigue.