Resumen de Effect of pulsed magnetic field versus low level laser therapy on functional disability in children with polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis

Shrouk Abd Elmohsen Elnhrawy, Mohamed Bedair Ibrahim, Saad Abdel Atti Gabballah, Nesma EM. Barakat

• Abstract Background: Polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis is represented with chronic pain and inflammation, and extra-articular manifestations with elevated comorbidities resulted in massive socio-economic impacts. Both pulsed electromagnetic fields, and low-level laser therapies are non-invasive therapeutic approaches have anabolic benefits those not fully explored so far.

  Purpose: To compare between pulsed magnetic field versus low level laser therapy in management of polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

  Material & Methods: A single prospective clinical, randomized control trial. It involved forty children with polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis, their age range was 8-16 years old, and they were randomly assigned into two equal groups Group (A): received pulsed electromagnetic field, in addition to standard physical therapy program. Group (B): received low intensity laser therapy, in addition to standard physical therapy program. All children were trained one hour per day, three times a week, as well pretreatment and at two months post treatment values were measured and analyzed.

  Results: No significant differences at baseline evaluation. Significant increase in group A in terms of knee flexion by 23.84% than group B by 13.92%, and for extension by 16.97% than for group B by 13.72%, also significant decrease in group A in terms of knee circumference at and above patella, also Arabic version of Childhood Health Assessment Questionnaire values by 78.9%, 11.83% and 11.53%, while group B were 66.17%, 5.66%, and 6.09%, respectively.

  Conclusions: It can be concluded that pulsed magnetic field produces better therapeutic improvement in compare to low-level laser therapy in management of children aged 8-16 years old with polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis.