Keywords

pulsed electromagnetic field therapy, diabetic foot ulcer, chronic wounds and microcirculation

 

Authors

  1. Kwan, Rachel Lai-Chu MPhil
  2. Wong, Wing-Cheung MBBS
  3. Yip, Siu-Leung MMedSc
  4. Chan, Ka-Lun MChS
  5. Zheng, Yong-Ping PhD
  6. Cheing, Gladys Lai-Ying PhD

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effects of pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) therapy on promoting the healing and microcirculation of chronic diabetic foot ulcers.

 

DESIGN: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial on a homogenous subset of chronic diabetic foot ulcers.

 

SETTING: Hospital and university.

 

PATIENTS: Thirteen subjects (7 in the PEMF group and 6 in the control group) diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and had unsatisfactory healing of ulcer(s) in the preceding 4 weeks were recruited.

 

INTERVENTIONS: Subjects were randomly allocated to receive either active PEMF therapy (duration: 60 minutes; frequency: 12 Hz; intensity: 12 Gauss) or nonactive PEMF for 14 sessions within 3 weeks.

 

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Assessment on wound closure, wound depth, and microcirculation were performed at the baseline, end of the treatment period, and 1-month follow-up.

 

MAIN RESULTS: By the end of the treatment period, there was an 18% decrease in wound size in the active PEMF group as compared with a 10% decrease in the control group. The PEMF group demonstrated significant cumulative increase in cutaneous capillary blood velocity (by 28%) and 14% increase in capillary diameter. In contrast, the control group showed a decrease in both capillary blood velocity and diameter.

 

CONCLUSION: In this study, PEMF therapy seemed to accelerate wound healing and improve microcirculation.