Effect of preoperative pulsed electromagnetic field therapy and abdominal exercises on muscle strength for patients undergoing ventral hernioplasty

Objectives. To find out the impact of preoperative pulsed electromagnetic field therapy (PEMFT) as well as abdominal exercises on muscle strength for patients undergoing ventral hernioplasty. Materials and Methods. Sixty patients aged 25 to 40 years, diagnosed with ventral hernia and referred for surgical treatment, were randomly allocated into four equally sized groups preoperatively. Group A received PEMFT on abdominal muscles for 20 minutes, followed by 30 minutes of specified progressive strengthening exercises for the abdomen. Group B executed the progressive abdominal strengthening exercises for 30 minutes. Group C was managed by 20 minutes of PEMFT on the abdomen, and Group D was advised to resume normal daily life activities preoperatively, excluding any abdominal exercises or PEMFT. All treatment interventions were administered three times weekly for a duration of six weeks. The Biodex 3 isokinetic dynamometer with back and abdominal unit was used as a method of abdominal muscle strength evaluation; measurements were taken three times: prior to and following six weeks of intervention “preoperative” and four months postoperative as a follow-up. Results. At the 6th week preoperatively, the three experimental groups (A, B, and C) revealed substantial differences in abdominal muscle strength. Four months postoperatively, during follow-up, notable differences persisted among these groups, with Group A exhibiting the most substantial improvements (p < 0.01). Conversely, the control group (D) revealed a substantial decline at either measurement contrasted with pre-treatment levels (p < 0.01). Conclusion. Both preoperative PEMFT and graduated abdominal strengthening exercises positively impact abdominal muscle torque in patients undergoing ventral hernioplasty.