Influence of pulsed electromagnetic field on the course of intervertebral hernia of the cervical spine

Abstract

BACKGROUND: A herniated disc of the cervical spine is a common cause of neck pain that results from leakage of the nucleus pulposus from the annulus fibrosus and creating pressure on the spinal cord and nerve roots. AIM: to study the effect of therapy with a pulsed electromagnetic field on pain, disability, psychological state and quality of life in intervertebral hernia of the cervical spine. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients were randomly divided into two groups, including group 1, who received therapy consisting of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, thermal procedures, and pulsed electromagnetic field, and group 2, who received a false magnetic field in addition to transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation and thermal procedures. Pain was assessed using a visual analogue scale (VAS). Other outcome measures were pain and disability (Neck Pain and Disability Scale), anxiety-depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale), and quality of life (Nottingham Health Profile). All evaluations were performed before treatment, at week 3, and at week 12 post-treatment. RESULTS: Significant improvements were found in scores for neck pain, disability, depression, anxiety, and quality of life in both groups after treatment compared with scores before treatment. However, when comparing changes within groups, significant improvements were only identified in VAS and Nottingham Health Profile sleep subparameters at week 12 post-treatment compared to pre-treatment. CONCLUSION: Pulsed electromagnetic field therapy in intervertebral hernia of the cervical spine can be safely used in conservative treatment as part of combined physiotherapy.