Vol 23, No 5 (2024)

BACKGROUND: Magnetic stimulation, a form of magnetotherapy using pulsed magnetic fields with high biological effect intensity, represents a promising therapeutic direction in pediatric practice.

AIM: To provide comprehensive insight into the therapeutic potential of magnetic stimulation and present a relevant clinical case.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study reviews materials on magnetic stimulation as a critical component of physical therapy and rehabilitation for pediatric patients.

RESULTS: Magnetic stimulation demonstrates pronounced neuromuscular stimulation effects, along with analgesic, trophic, and anti-edematous actions. Differentiating between various magnetotherapy modalities is crucial, with specific techniques tailored to clinical objectives. The main biophysical advantages of magnetic stimulation are noted. Unlike variable magnetotherapy, magnetic stimulation produces audible clicking sounds during the procedure (click = stimulus), perceived by the patient as distinct muscle contractions or comfortable vibrations, depending on the applied frequency. Frequency is a critical parameter that must be individualized. In physiotherapy, pulsed magnetic fields at frequencies up to 20 Hz elicit the most significant responses. Lower frequencies predominantly stimulate, while higher frequencies provide analgesic and microcirculatory effects.

CONCLUSION: Peripheral magnetic stimulation, due to its proven efficacy and excellent tolerance, is the physiotherapeutic method of choice in neuro- and orthopedic practice. It effectively addresses joint and spine diseases associated with inflammation or muscle spasm, nerve fiber injuries with pain syndrome, chronic pelvic pain, and urinary disorders. Its safety and effectiveness make peripheral magnetic stimulation a highly promising tool for pediatric practice, as demonstrated by the clinical case presented.

BACKGROUND: The high prevalence of acute cerebrovascular accidents, frequently accompanied by persistent upper limb dysfunction, leads to prolonged disability. Addressing this significant medical and social problem requires the development of novel neurorehabilitation algorithms.

AIM: To assess the effects of using hardware-based biofeedback (BFB) in combination with functional programmed electrical and magnetic stimulation on muscle tone in patients recovering from ischemic stroke.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 117 patients (mean age 61.2 ± 3.4 years) diagnosed with ischemic stroke within 3 days to 12 months prior to enrollment, verified as post-stroke condition according to ICD-10. The cohort comprised 68 men (58.1%) and 49 women (41.9%), who were randomized into four groups based on combinations of methods applied alongside a unified non-pharmacological therapy: Group 1 (Control—Functional Electrical Stimulation) included 28 patients who underwent fine motor skill restoration activities combined with functional programmed electrical stimulation; Group 2 (Control—Magnetic Stimulation) included 30 patients who underwent fine motor skill restoration activities combined with magnetic stimulation; Group 3 (BFB + Functional Electrical Stimulation) comprised 32 patients who received rehabilitation using HandTutor biofeedback technologies combined with functional programmed electrical stimulation; and Group 4 (BFB + Magnetic Stimulation) comprised 27 patients who underwent rehabilitation using HandTutor biofeedback technologies combined with magnetic stimulation.

RESULTS: Rehabilitation measures contributed to improved muscle strength and normalized muscle tone in all groups. However, incorporating biofeedback-based HandTutor into the rehabilitation program resulted in statistically significant enhancements compared with the control groups. Muscle strength increased by 17.7–22.3% after the rehabilitation course (22.7–31.6% after 12 months), while muscle tone decreased by 21.3–48.4% (21.3–57.3% after 12 months) as assessed using the spasticity scale.

CONCLUSION: Integrating biofeedback methods with functional programmed electrical and magnetic stimulation into rehabilitation programs for patients with upper limb fine motor impairments after ischemic stroke significantly improves muscle strength and normalizes muscle tone.

BACKGROUND: Chronic post-infectious neuropathic pain is a frequent complication of herpesvirus infections, with post-herpetic neuralgia often affecting the roots of the sciatic nerve.

AIM: To compare the analgesic effects of pulsed electromagnetic therapy with standard treatment in patients with post-herpetic neuralgia of the sciatic nerve.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A double-blind, randomized clinical trial was conducted with 46 patients (18 men and 28 women) who were randomly assigned to two groups. Both groups received traditional physiotherapy treatment. The first group underwent additional pulsed electromagnetic therapy, while the second group received standard rehabilitation. Pulsed electromagnetic therapy sessions were conducted once daily, three times a week, for 20 minutes over eight consecutive weeks. Pain intensity was evaluated using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and daily analgesic dosage was measured before and after the intervention.

RESULTS: Both groups demonstrated a significant reduction in VAS scores and daily analgesic dosages compared to baseline (p <0.001). In the first group, the percentage reduction in VAS scores and daily analgesic dosages was 78.3 and 72.5%, respectively, compared to 63.1 and 65.9% in the second group. A statistically significant difference in VAS scores was observed between the groups (p <0.05), while the difference in daily analgesic dosages did not reach statistical significance (p >0.05).

CONCLUSION: Pulsed electromagnetic therapy significantly improves pain intensity in patients with post-herpetic neuralgia of the sciatic nerve, as evidenced by reductions in VAS scores. While changes in daily analgesic dosage suggest a trend toward a stronger analgesic effect of the therapy, this difference was not statistically significant.