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Pulsed electromagnetic fields versus laser therapy on enhancing recovery of diabetic foot ulcer: A single blind randomized controlled trial

Nisreen Afify Abd El Rasheed, Noha F. Mahmoud, Hamada Ahmed Hamada, Ayman El Khatib

Background: The nature of chronic diabetic foot ulceration disables the normal stages of healing, inducing a state of pathological inflammation resulting in a delayed healing process which predisposes the patients to infections. Purpose: This study was performed to compare between laser therapy and pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) therapy in management of infected diabetic foot ulcers. Design: A prospective, randomized, single-blind, pre–post-test, controlled trial. Setting: Participants were referred from the Outpatient Clinic Kasr El-Ani hospital to be treated in the Outpatient Clinic, Faculty of physical Therapy, Cairo University. The study was conducted between June 2015 and August 2016. Participants: Thirty participants with diabetic foot ulcers, their age ranged from 45-60 years. Interventions: The first group (GA) received 0.5 Gauss PEMF and the second group (GB) received 10 J/cm² Infra-red laser therapy. Main Outcome Measure: the primary outcome was wound surface area while the secondary outcome was colony count that were measured before the experiment and after 12 sessions of treatment. Results: Thirty participants with DFU (group A n=15; group B n=15) were randomized and analyzed. Comparing both groups post-program revealed that there was significant reduction in wound surface area in favor of (GB). However, no significant difference was found in colony count. Conclusion: 10 J/cm² infra-red laser and 0.5 Gauss. PEMF are two effective and recommended modalities in management of infected diabetic foot ulcer. However, laser therapy is better for wound regeneration regarding the same used parameters of treatment.