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Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields for Postsurgical Pain Management in Women Undergoing Cesarean Section: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial Publisher Pubmed



Khooshideh M1 ; Rostami SSL1 ; Sheikh M3 ; Yekta BG2 ; Shahriari A4
Authors
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Authors Affiliations
  1. 1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Arash Women's Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  2. 2. Department of Anesthesiology, Roozbeh Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  3. 3. Department of Maternal, Fetal and Neonatal Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Valiasr Hospital, Imam Khomeini Hospital Complexes, Keshavarz Blvd, Tehran, 1419733141, Iran
  4. 4. Department of Physiology, Applied Physiology Research Center, Tehran Medical Sciences Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran

Source: Clinical Journal of Pain Published:2017


Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy of pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) in relation to reducing postoperative pain, analgesic use, and wound healing in patients undergoing Cesarean section (C-section). Methods: This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial evaluated 72 women who underwent elective C-section. Thirty-six patients were assigned to the active-PEMF and 36 to the sham-PEMF groups. The participants were asked to report their pain intensity on a Visual Analog Scale (VAS) at 2, 4, 6, 12, and 24 hours and 2, 4, and 7 days after surgery. The amount of analgesics used was recorded. The surgical site was evaluated to assess the wound-healing process on the seventh postoperative day. Results: Postoperative pain VAS scores were significantly lower in the active-PEMF group in all the measured periods within the early and the late postoperative periods. Fewer women in the active-PEMF group experienced severe postoperative pain within 24 hours postoperatively (36% vs. 72%, P=0.002). Analgesic use during the first 24 hours after C-section was 1.9-times lower in the active-PEMF group (1.6± 0.7 vs. 3.1± 1.2, P< 0.001). The total analgesic use during the seventh postoperative days was 2.1-times lower in the active-PEMF group than in the sham group (1.7±0.7 vs. 3.7 ±1.1, P < 0.001). Seven days postoperatively, patients in the active-PEMF group had better wound healing with no exudate, erythema, or edema (P= 0.02). Conclusions: PEMF treatment after C-section decreases post-surgical pain, analgesic use, and surgical wound exudate and edema significantly, and is associated with a high level of patient satisfaction. Copyright © 2016 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.