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Analgesic efficacy of APS (Action Potential Simulation). Pilot study of the patients with chronic pain due to musculoskeletal disorders
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Abstract
Methods. The study involved 12 patients with musculoskeletal disorders who suffered from chronic pain. Each patient received treatment for 3 weeks' time. APS-therapy was administered for a period of 16 minutes, 5 times a week. Treatment was given by portable unit, that generated an APS waveform (monophasic, pulse width 800 ms, frequency 150 Hz and intensity 0.5-1.5 mA). NRS (Numerical Rating Scale) evaluation was performed for 3 days of pre-treatment period, before each treatment which reflected the pain situation of the previous 24 h, and once daily for 2 weeks after treatment.
Results. The initial mean NRS in pre-treatment period was 5.53 (SD = 1.94), decreased after APS-therapy to 3.45 (SD = 1.4) (p = 0.002) and even more to 2.56 (SD = 1.23) in the post-treatment period (p = 0.0003). Mean pain intensity decreased significantly after 11 sessions and remained on the same level up to 2 weeks of post-treatment observation.
Conclusion. APS-therapy may be an effective method of nonpharmacological treatment of chronic pain in muscoskeletal disorders.
Abstract
Methods. The study involved 12 patients with musculoskeletal disorders who suffered from chronic pain. Each patient received treatment for 3 weeks' time. APS-therapy was administered for a period of 16 minutes, 5 times a week. Treatment was given by portable unit, that generated an APS waveform (monophasic, pulse width 800 ms, frequency 150 Hz and intensity 0.5-1.5 mA). NRS (Numerical Rating Scale) evaluation was performed for 3 days of pre-treatment period, before each treatment which reflected the pain situation of the previous 24 h, and once daily for 2 weeks after treatment.
Results. The initial mean NRS in pre-treatment period was 5.53 (SD = 1.94), decreased after APS-therapy to 3.45 (SD = 1.4) (p = 0.002) and even more to 2.56 (SD = 1.23) in the post-treatment period (p = 0.0003). Mean pain intensity decreased significantly after 11 sessions and remained on the same level up to 2 weeks of post-treatment observation.
Conclusion. APS-therapy may be an effective method of nonpharmacological treatment of chronic pain in muscoskeletal disorders.
Keywords
APS-therapy; musculoskeletal disorder; chronic pain
About this articleTitle
Analgesic efficacy of APS (Action Potential Simulation). Pilot study of the patients with chronic pain due to musculoskeletal disorders
Journal
Advances in Palliative Medicine
Issue
Pages
13-16
Published online
2007-02-22
Page views
744
Article views/downloads
1581
Bibliographic record
Advances in Palliative Medicine 2007;6(1):13-16.
Keywords
APS-therapy
musculoskeletal disorder
chronic pain
Authors
Anna Pyszora
Małgorzata Krajnik
Anna Adamczyk
Michał Graczyk
Jacek Budzyński
Zbigniew Zylicz
Małgorzata Łukowicz