Thesis (M.Sc.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Physical Therapy - Department of Musculoskeletal Disorders

The present study aimed at investigating the effects of electromagnetic field (EMF) on the number of mechanoreceptors in thoracolumbar fascia. Sixteen healthy adult wister male rats weighing between 250 to 300 gm. Rats were randomly divided into two groups: (I) EMF exposed (experimental) and (II) sham exposed animals. Each one of the EMF exposed animals was placed in a separate plastic cage inside electromagnetic set up cylinder coil (42cm diameter) that was connected to a main power supply (AC - 50 Hz) and adjusted via variac to produce EMF of 0.3 mT. The EMFintensity was monitored with a probe connected to a digital tesla meter. Rats were exposed for 1h / day at the same time every day, six days / week for two weeks. Sham exposed animals went through the same procedures except that no EMF was generated. Six - hours following the last session, all animals were sacrificed. Tissues were harvested and the thoracolumbar fascia (TLF) was removed and immediately stained with 1% gold chloride solution for histological examination. The number of Pacinian corpuscles significantly increased in the experimental group compared to that of the sham exposed group P < 0.05

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