Microcurrent stimulation versus pulsed electromagnetic field therapy in treatment of post-herpetic neuralgia of sciatic nerve / Maher Khalil Ibrahim Botros ; Supervised Zakaria Mowafy Emam Mowafy , Hamed AbdAlla Hamed , Marwa Mahmoud Abdelmotelb Eid

Thesis (M.Sc.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Physical Therapy - Department of Physical Therapy for Surgery

Purpose: to evaluate the efficacy of the microcurrent stimulation MENS) versus pulsed electromagnetic field therapy (PEMFT) in the treatment of post-herpetic neuralgia of the sciatic nerve. Methods of evaluation: Measurement of the visual analogue scale (VAS) and estimation of the carbamazepin intake (CMI). Methods:- Thirty patients (15 males and 15 females) who had post-herpetic neuralgia of the sciatic nerve were participated in the study, their ages ranged from 25 to 40 years, they were randomly divided into 2 equal groups in number, 2 experimental groups (A) and (B). Group (A) composed of 15 patients received the traditional physical therapy treatment in addition to the MENS. Group (B) received the traditional physical therapy treatment plus the PEMFT. MENS and PEMFT were applied once daily, three times per week for 2 months as a total period of treatment, each session was conducted for 20 minutes in a linear pathway, unilaterally over the affected side from up to down side along the sciatic nerve pathway with patient prone as follow; MENS first electrode or the active surface of the JAMAVA apparatus: at l5-S1 (errectro-spinae motor point) level paravertebrally (channel one). MENS second electrode or the active surface of the JAMAVA apparatus: on the tender buttock, upper motor point of gluteus maximus (channel one). MENS third electrode or the active surface of the JAMAVA apparatus: at the midpoint between ischial tuberosity and greater trochanter at level of buttock and posterior upper thigh (channel two). MENS fourth electrode or the active surface of the JAMAVA apparatus: just superior to popliteal crease (channel two). Results and conclusion:- Results showed a highly significant reduction in VAS and CMI at the end of the treatment program in groups (A) and (B). So both MENS and PEMFT were effective and nearly equivalent in improving the post-herpetic neuralgia of the sciatic nerve as manifested by the highly significant decrease in VAS and CMI

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