Thesis (M.Sc.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Physical Therapy - Department of Basic Science

Background: Pulsed magnetic field (PMF) was reported to have hazardous effects beside the beneficial effects to patients and therapists who are subjected to it. Studies have shown potential effects of antioxidants, such as vitamin C and vitamin E, on oxidative stress status and hazardous effects induced by PMF in animals. Purposes: To investigate the adverse effect of PMF on RBCs count and indices and investigate the therapeutic action of vitamin C and E against harmful effects induced by PMF. Subjects: Sixty patients (27 males and 33 females) with mechanical low back pain (MLBP) referred to physical therapy department to receive PMF, their ages ranged from 20 to 40 years, they were classified randomly into four equal groups. Method: Patients in Group I received a selected physical therapy program only which included infrared radiation and strengthening exercises for back and abdominal muscles, patients in Group II were treated with PMF (frequency 50 Hz, intensity of 20 gauss and duration of 20 min.) in addition to a selected physical therapy program, patients in Group III were treated with PMF and the selected physical therapy program followed by taking vitamin C and patients in Group IV were treated with PMF and the selected physical therapy program followed by taking vitamin E. Treatment was applied 3 sessions per week for four successive weeks. The red blood cells count (RBCs), hemoglobin (Hb), Packed cell volume (PCV), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration (MCHC) and red cell distribution width (RDW) were measured before and after 4 weeks of treatment

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