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

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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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.

Detailed Description
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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.

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

Conditions
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Hernia, Ventral

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Pulsed electromagnetic field
* Other: Graduated abdominal strengthening exercises


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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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.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 25 Years
Maximum Age: 40 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Single


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Pulsed electromagnetic field and selected graduated abdominal exercises (group A)<br>The interventions were done preoperatively, received pulsed electromagnetic therapy (PEMFT) on abdominal muscles,15 Hz frequency, 20 gauss amplitude with a rectangular waveform, for 20 minutes then they performed the selected graduated abdominal strengthening exercises for 30 minutes, three sessions per week for six weeks. | Other: Pulsed electromagnetic field<br>* Pulsed electromagnetic field therapy was applied directly over the abdominal muscle from a supine position after the removal of metals or things that can be affected by a magnetic field will be assured prior to magnetic field application. The treatment parameters were set as 15 Hz frequency, 20 gauss amplitude with a rectangular waveform for 20 minutes.<br>Other: Graduated abdominal strengthening exercises<br>* Four specific muscle core exercises were performed<br>|
| Active Comparator: Selected graduated abdominal exercises (group B)<br>The interventions were done preoperatively, patients performed the selected graduated abdominal strengthening exercises for 30 minutes, three sessions per week for six weeks. | Other: Graduated abdominal strengthening exercises<br>* Four specific muscle core exercises were performed<br>|
| Active Comparator: Pulsed electromagnetic field (group C)<br>The interventions were done preoperatively, they received pulsed electromagnetic therapy (PEMFT) on abdominal muscles,15 Hz frequency, 20 gauss amplitude with a rectangular waveform, for 20 minutes only. | Other: Pulsed electromagnetic field<br>* Pulsed electromagnetic field therapy was applied directly over the abdominal muscle from a supine position after the removal of metals or things that can be affected by a magnetic field will be assured prior to magnetic field application. The treatment parameters were set as 15 Hz frequency, 20 gauss amplitude with a rectangular waveform for 20 minutes.<br>|
| No Intervention: Control group<br>Patients were instructed to presume in normal activities of daily living preoperatively, without any abdominal exercises or PEMFT. | |

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| the change in the abdominal muscle torque | measured by biodex isokinetic | Baseline and six weeks after the intervention preoperatively and after four weeks postoperative as follow up | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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pulsed electromagnetic field, abdominal exercises, ventral hernia repair