Performance Induction Stimulation in the Terapy of Muculoskeletal Apparatus Conditions - A Pilot Study
Abstract
Background: Repetitive peripheral inductive stimulation is a solution in musculoskeletal pain management in medical branches such as neurology, orthopaedics, rehabilitation and physical medicine. Therapy is based on the principle of time-varying electromagnetic field passing through neural and muscular tissue, in which electric currents are induced.
By affecting conductive tissue, a chain reaction including changes in action potential and leading to muscle contraction is performed. Aim: Aim of the pilot study was to investigate immediate pain relief effect of the repetitive peripheral inductive stimulation device BTL-6000 Super Inductive System (BTL Industries Ltd.) in musculoskeletal diseases.
Methods: 31 subjects from Rehabilitation Center Kladruby were comprised in the pilot study. Subjects underwent approx. 7 therapies individually.
A hand-held applicator type "focus field" was used. Pulse repetition rates matching with gate theory and peripheral pattern theory were applied to achieve pain relief effect.
A Visual Analog Scale (VAS) was used to evaluate pain before and after each therapy. Results: Immediate pain relief effect of the repetitive peripheral inductive stimulation in 62% patients with musculoskeletal diseases was observed.
Conclusion: Despite small number of subjects, decrease of painful perception and pain relief effect were achieved. Although, the study design does not allow comparison with placebo effect, statistically significant (α = 0.2) immediate pain relief effect in 50 - 74 % of subjects might be expected.