Adjunctive Effect of Pulsed Electromagnetic Field on Quadriceps Muscle Strength After Burn Injury

Adjunctive Effect of Pulsed Electromagnetic Field on Quadriceps Muscle Strength After Burn Injury

The aim of this study is to examine whether Pulsed Electromagnetic Field therapy combined with strengthening exercises will have a positive effect on quadriceps muscle strength in lower limb burn .

• Subjects: Sixty patients with lower limb burn, subdivided into two groups each one has 30 patients.

• Group (A) = Pulsed Electromagnetic Field therapy and quadriceps strengthening exercises group.

• Group (B) = quadriceps strengthening exercises group. • Equipment and tools:

  1. Measurements tools:

     Isokinetic dynamometer : to measure the quadriceps muscle peak torque before the treatment and after 8 weeks of treatment for both groups.

  2. Therapeutic tools:

Pulsed Electromagnetic Field therapy device and free weights for strengthening of quadriceps muscle.

Inclusion Criteria:

• - Patients are males.
• Their age will range from (25-40) years.
• Patients will suffer from second-degree burn ( Partial thickness of thermal injury).
• Total body surface area (TBSA) for the burns will be ranged from 20% to 35% .
• They will be selected from Outpatient Clinic of Faculty of Physical Therapy and Burn Unit at Om El-Obour Hospital.
• Patients will begin the training program after complete wound healing.
• All patients will receive traditional physical therapy program in the form of range of motion exercise, stretching, splinting, massage, functional training for ambulation and activities of daily living.
• Patients will be given their informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

• - Patients who participate in any rehabilitation program to improve muscle strength prior to the study.
• Musculoskeletal disorders that will impair performance during training and tests.
• Equilibrium disorders.
• Uncontrolled cardiovascular or pulmonary diseases .
• Neurological and renal disorders.
• metabolic or vascular disease with a neurological component such as diabetes,
• Malignant conditions.
• Psychiatric illness, severe behavior or cognitive disorders.
• Subjects with burn to the posterior thigh with knee flexion contracture, which affected the function of the quadriceps muscle.
• Lower limb lymphedema or lipoedema.
• Athletic subjects.
• Subjects with morbid obesity.