Adjunctive effect of pulsed electromagnetic field therapy on quadriceps muscle strength after burn injury

Abstract

Purpose. This study was conducted to examine the effect of pulsed electromagnetic field therapy on quadriceps muscle strength after burn injury. Methods. From April 2021 to June 2022, sixty male patients who suffered from second degree lower limb thermal burn injury and Total body surface area (TBSA) from 25% to 35% participated in this study. Their ages ranged from (20-40) years. They were randomly assigned in two groups, a study group composed of 30 patients who received (PEMF) over thigh area before strengthening exercise for quadriceps muscle and a control group composed of 30 patients who received strengthening exercise for quadriceps muscle. Patients of both groups received traditional physical therapy program.. Evaluation tool was isokinetic dynamometer to measure the quadriceps muscle peak torque before the treatment and after 8 weeks of treatment for both groups. Results. There was no significant difference between both group (study and control) in mean values of quadriceps peak torque pre-treatment (P > 0.05). There was a significant increase in the mean values of quadriceps peak torque after 8 weeks of treatment in both groups (p < 0.05) while there was a significant difference in post treatment mean values of quadriceps peak torque in the study group when compared with control group (p < 0.05). Conclusion. Pulsed electromagnetic field therapy is an effective modality that can be used for improving muscle strength and performance in patients with lower limb burn when applied prior to strengthening exercise.