Ultrasound and pulsed electromagnetic energy treatment for perineal trauma. A randomized placebo‐controlled trial

Abstract

SummaryUltrasound and pulsed electromagnetic energy therapies arc increasingly used for perineal trauma sustained during childbirth. The study included 414 women with moderate or severe perineal trauma randomly allocated to receive active ultrasound, or active pulsed electromagnetic energy, or corresponding placebo therapies; the allocation was double‐blind for each machine. Overall, more than 90% thought that treatment made their problem better. There were no clear differences between the groups in outcome either immediately after treatment, or 10 days or 3 months postpartum, other than more pain associated with pulsed electromagnetic energy treatment at 10 days. Bruising looked more extensive after ultrasound therapy but then seemed to resolve more quickly. Neither therapy had an effect on perineal oedema or haemorrhoids. The place of these new therapies in postnatal care should be clarified by further controlled trials before they become part of routine care.

Meta-Analysis of Clinical Efficacy of Pulsed Radio Frequency Energy Treatment

“…[6][7][8][9][10][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22] Of the 16 controlled studies, 11 were randomized controlled trials (4 PO and 7 NPO) and 11 were blinded studies (3 PO and 8 NPO). Fourteen of the 16 trials (4 PO and 10 NPO) were included in the P-value combination analysis.…”

“…[6][7][8][10][11][12][13]15,17,19,20,[23][24][25] Of the 14 controlled studies, 8 were randomized controlled trials (3 PO and 5 NPO) and 7 were blinded studies (2 PO and 5 NPO). Eleven of the 14 controlled clinical trials were evaluable for the P-value combination analysis (3 PO and 8 NPO).…”

Minimizing postpartum pain: a review of research pertaining to perineal care in childbearing women

“…In a study by Grant et al . (1989 ) women were asked, 2 hours before and after treatment with ultrasound or electro‐magnetic therapy, to assess perineal pain using 10 cm linear analogue and categorical scales, whilst the midwife assessed the amount of oedema, bruising, haemorrhoids and analgesia requirements.…”

Dosering bij pulserende UKG-therapie: enkele klinische onderzoekingen

“…Zo zouden 100 impulsen per seconde (100 Hz) van 65 ms elk van 1000 W een gemiddeld vermogen opleveren van 6,5 W. Als dit gemiddeld vermogen zou worden toegediend aan de weefsels in een behandeling van 10 minuten, zou de totale energie 3,9 kJ (6,5 W × 600 s) zijn. Op dezelfde wijze zou een piekvermogen van 500 W, 65 ms, toegepast bij 100 Hz gedurende 20 minuten ook 3,9 kJ opleveren, zie Grant et al (1989) in de tabel. Op deze manier kan de energie die per 24 uur wordt toegekend bij de van elkaar verschillende behandelwijzen worden vergeleken.…”