Effectiveness of Electromagnetic Field Therapy in Mechanical Low Back Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Ghada Mohamed Rashad Koura,1 Ahmed Mohamed Fathi Elshiwi,2 Mastour Saeed Alshahrani,1 Doaa Ayoub Elimy,3 Razan Abdurahman Nasser Alshahrani,2 Fareed F Alfaya,4 Shaker Hassan S Alshehri,4 Amal A Hadi,2 Mohammed Abdullah Alshehri,5 Hani Hassan Alnakhli,1 Fuzail Ahmad,6 Irshad Ahmad1 1Program of Physical Therapy, Department of Medical Rehabilitation Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Khalid University, Abha, 61421, Saudi Arabia; 2Consultant and Head of Physical Therapy Department, Saudi German Hospital, Aseer, Saudi Arabia; 3Basic Sciences Department, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt; 4Department of Orthopedic Surgery, College of Medicine, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia; 5Department of Physiotherapy, Abha, International Private Hospital, Abha, Saudi Arabia; 6Respiratory Care Department, College of Applied Sciences, AlMaarefa University, Dirirya, Riyadh, Saudi ArabiaCorrespondence: Irshad Ahmad, Email [email protected]: Between half and three quarters of the working-age population in today’s industrialized globe suffers from lower back pain. The presence of a myofascial trigger point—a hyperirritable painful area comprised of a small number of muscle fibers—identifies mechanical back pain sufferers as suffering from myofascial pain syndrome, a chronic pain disorder. This research objectives to determine whether mechanical back pain patients’ pain severity and functional disabilities are influenced by electromagnetic field therapy.Methods and Subjects: Two groups of thirty patients were randomly assigned. The 15 participants in group A underwent conventional physical therapy (including ultrasound, stretches, and strength training for the back muscles), while the 15 participants in group B received a combination of conventional physical therapy and electromagnetic field therapy. Pre- and post-treatment assessments of pain intensity, functional impairment, and lumbar range of motion (including extension, flexion, and right and left side bending) were examined. The variables of interest that were examined at various testing groups and measuring periods were compared using a 2× 2 mixed design MANOVA.Results: After treatment, there was a significant difference in all dependent variables between the two groups in terms of between-subject effects (p < 0.05). Group B benefited from a significant decrease in pain, right and left side bending, and function disability, as well as an increase in flexion and extension.Conclusion: Patients suffering from mechanical back pain can find relief from their discomfort and functional impairment through the use of electromagnetic field therapy, according to the current study’s conclusions.Keywords: myofascial trigger point, mechanical back pain, conventional physical therapy, electromagnetic field