Effect of a Preoperative Pulsed Electromagnetic Field and Abdominal Exercises on Muscle Strength Post Ventral Hernioplasty

Effect of Preoperative Pulsed Electromagnetic Field and Abdominal Exercises on Muscle Strength Post Ventral Hernioplasty

The aim of this study is to investigate the impact of a preoperative pulsed electromagnetic field and abdominal exercises on muscle strength post ventral hernioplasty.

Sixty patients, 25-40 years old, diagnosed with a ventral hernia and consulted for surgical hernia repair, preoperatively, were randomly assigned either into pulsed electromagnetic therapy and graduated abdominal strengthening exercises group (group A), graduated abdominal strengthening exercises group (group B), pulsed electromagnetic therapy group (group C) or group D who is instructed to presume in normal activities of daily living preoperatively, without any abdominal exercises or PEMF. All treatment interventions were applied at a frequency of three sessions per week for six weeks preoperatively. Abdominal muscle torque was measured by a biodex isokinetic dynamometer preoperatively at baseline and after six weeks of intervention and after four months postoperatively.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Being subjects of both genders.
• Between the age of 25-40 years.
• Diagnosed with a ventral hernia (Grade II & III) based on surgeon assessment and desired an elective surgical repair.
• Able to act in the abdominal training program.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients with a strangulated hernia.
• Bowel obstruction, peritonitis or perforation.
• Urgent surgery indication.
• Less than one-year abdominal surgery.
• Infection (local or systemic).
• Orthopedic problem, or neurological impairment that interfere with patient ability to act in the abdominal training program.
• Pregnant women.