1         Scientific Trials – Articles Specifically Relating to Viofor JPS in the Treatment of Arthritis

1.1        Estimation of Clinical Efficacy of Viofor JPS System Magnetic & Light Therapy – Device For Magnetostimulation Connected With Light Energy In The Treatment Of Degenerative And Inflammatory Diseases Of Joints

[Prof. Aleksander Sieroń, Balneologia Polska, vol XLVI, 2004, pp.42-58]

Summary

The aim of this study was to estimate a clinical efficacy of Viofor JPS System Magnetic & Light Therapy-device for magnetostimulation connected with light energy used as monotherapy in the treatment of patients suffering from degenerative and inflammatory diseases of joints, and the comparison of different magnetic-light applicators using red (wavelength: 840-860mm) and infrared (wavelength: 625-635mm) light generated by diodes LED in the treatment of particular diseases. In this trial 32 patients of both sex with pain syndromes in the course of coxarthrosis (16 patients), gonarthritis (8 patients) and rheumatoid arthritis of carpometacarpal articulation of thumb (8 patients) were treated. In the therapy elliptic magnetic-light applicators were used generating variable magnetic field with saw-like shape of impulse and mean induction value of 53,4 μT as well as light with energy density of 8,18 and 1,64 J/cm², respectively. The therapeutic cycle consisted of 10 daily exposures lasting 12 minutes each (program – P2, mode of application – M2, intensity – 6). As a result of performed procedures in all diseases a distinct reduction of pain intensity estimated by means of Husskinson’s visual-analog scale VAS persisting in case of superficially located joints also in 5^th day after the end of exposure cycle was observed. The strongest and the most persistent analgesic effect was obtained using magnetic-light applicators generating infrared light, especially in case of gonarthritis and arthritis of carpometacarpal articulation of thumb.

1.2        Estimation Of Therapeutic Efficacy And Tolerance of Magnetostimulation With Use Of Viofor JPS System in the Treatment of Children With Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis

[Prof. Aleksander Sieroń, Balneologia Polska, vol XLVI, 2004, pp.86-92]

Summary

The aim the study was to estimate therapeutic efficacy of magnetostimulation with use of Viofor JPS system with routine big flat applicator and additional elliptic applicators for local use in the treatment of children suffering from juvenile idiopathic arthritis. 33 children aged 4 to 18 years with various course of a disease and location of inflammatory process in single or numerous joints were treated. As a results of a cycle of 14 everyday exposures (programme: P3, mode of application M2, time of single exposure: 12 minutes daily, intensity of field increasing in succeeding days from 0,5 to 7) a significant clinical improvement was obtained in 96.9% of patients, particularly in form of decrease in pain intensity during motion of affected joints (84.3% of patients), improvement of mobility of all joints (76.8% of patients), reduction of dimension of joint oedema (46.6% of patients) and normalization of temperature in periarticular tissues (68% of patients). Decrease in subjective pain sensation in affected joints estimated in Huskisson’s visual-analog scale VAS of 59.6-89.5%, and shortening of morning stiffness duration of 50-84% was observed, depending on the form of the disease. The best results were obtained in patients with location of inflammatory process in single joints, especially in case of subacute and acute course of a disease. On the basis of obtained results it was concluded that magnetostimulation with use of Viofor JPS System could make a valuable, assisting method in the treatment of juvenile idiopathic arthritis, due to high therapeutic efficacy, functionality of particular applicators and good tolerance of exposures by patients.

1.3        Use Of Variable Magnetic Field Of Low Frequency In Degenerative Knee Joint Disease
[Ewa Boerner, Marzena Koblanska, Ewa Biec, Barbara Ratajczak, Ewa Demczuk-Wlodarczuk, Aneta Demidas. Jounal: Acta Bio-Optica et Informatica Medica, Vol 9. 2003 pp.131-135]

Abstract

The work deals with application of magnetotherapy for treatment of degenerative disease of knee joint. It was statistically proved that this kind of treatment is beneficial for lowering of pain level, increases the locomotory ability and decreases the swollen tissue.

Key words: magnetic field, degenerative knee joints disease

Received: 05.11.2003

1. Introduction

Gonarthritis is one of the most frequent pathologies of knee. Degenerative joint disease is the most prevalent disease of motor apparatus. First, non-clinical changes may occur in the second or third decade of life. 35% of people aged 45-65 years suffer from the disease and 60-70% of people over 65 years old. Gonarthritis has third place after coxarthrosis and degenerative changes of spine. It affects 5% of population, in 75% of cases are women. The disease makes women unable to work and often disable. Gonarthritis is caused by repeated mechanical injuries, changes connected with strain put on the joint, which may be connected with strain put on the joint, which may be connected with age, sport injuries, excessive body weight or anomalies in body^[1]. Patients with degenerative changes are treated in a complex way and, apart from anti-inflammatory action, various of pain-relieving agents are administered ^[2]. Physiotherapy plays significant role in analgesic treatment. The aim of physiotherapy is to reduce pain, muscle tone, tissue oedema and to prepare patient for kinesitherapy aimed at sustaining or restoring proper mobility in joints affected by the disease.

More and more frequently magnetotherapy is used ^[3]. Treatment with magnetic field is a natural, biological form of therapy.  It has been known since ancient times. Scientific bases for this kind of treatment appeared in the 20^th century. The properties of magnetic fields, their effect on human organism were studied and better therapeutic devices are constructed ^[4,5]. The purpose of this study was to assess efficacy of magnetic field of low frequency in gonarthritis.

2. Materials and methods

The subjects of the study were patients from Wrocław’s outpatient clinic suffering from degenerative knee joint disease involving both knee joints. Patients were not subjected to any other therapy during treatment. The research group consisted of 30 patients aged 56-65 (22 women and 8 men). Most of them with pain and limited mobility in knee joints. Characteristics of the group are shown in Table 1.

Table 1. Characteristics of the group

Before therapy, history of the patients was taken: first name, surname, age, sex, duration of the disease.  All patients were subjected to the procedures with magnetic field of low frequency. Apparatus emitting sinusoidal impulses, 1-10 mT, frequency 20-50 Hz, was used in the procedures. During the procedures, first, small intensities were used, then, the intensities were gradually increased to maximal dose. Applicator in shape of a spool with 315mm diameter adjusted to the shape of the area subjected to the procedure. Each procedure lasted 20 minutes. 15 procedures were recommended. First 10 procedures were carried out every day and the following 5 procedures were carried out every second day. Each patient had procedure carried out at the same time of the day. All patients were examined before the therapy and just after its completion. The examinations involved the area of two lower limbs. Obtained results were statistically analysed.

o        Measurement of the range of flexion motion in knee joints.

o        Measurement of circumference of both limbs at three levels, with precision to 0.5 cm: on the level of knee crevice, on the of medial head of quadriceps muscle of thigh, on the level of lateral head of quadriceps of thigh. 

Pain was assessed on Domžał’s modified 10 degree numeric scale [2], where 0 means lack of pain, 10 means severe pain.

3. Results

The results of the assessment of efficacy of therapy with magnetic field in degenerative knee joint disease as far as pain, range of mobility and circumference are concerned, on the level of knee joint, lateral head and medial head of quadriceps muscle of thigh before and after the therapy are shown in table 2 and 3.

Median value indicates that 50% of studied patients experienced before therapy chronic pain, increasing in severity with every change of position. Whereas, after therapy, in 75% of studied cases there was a reduction of severity of pain to the level of slight pain occurring every day with small intervals. Comparative analysis indicates that therapy has statistically significant effect on both lower limbs (Table2).

Analysis of the range of movement in knee joint in sagittal plane before and after therapy indicates significant reduction of limitation in flexion. Mean values of the range of movement indicate statistically significant increase in the range of flexion movement after therapy (Table 3). Also values of circumferences measured at the level of knee joint crevice of both lower limbs indicate significant reduction of circumferences after procedure with variable magnetic field. It may suggest reduction of oedema and positive effects of the therapy in degenerative knee joint disease. Calculated mean values of circumferences of both limbs at the level of medial head of quadriceps muscle of thigh indicate significant reduction of their circumference after therapy. No statistically significant variance was found in measurements of circumference of lower left limb before and after therapy at the level of lateral head of quadriceps muscle of thigh (Table 3). It can be assumed that it was a result of reduction of oedema and not wasting of the mass of quadriceps muscle of thigh.

4. Discussion

Research studies carried out by Sieroń and his co-workers [7-9] indicate that that there is a wide spectrum of effects that magnetic field exerts on processes of aerobic and anaerobic respiration. It was also found that due to increased emission of endogenic opiates, magnetic fields alleviate pain. It was found that in treatment of degenerative joint disease, therapy with magnetic field is one of the most beneficial physiotherapeutic methods. On the basis of conducted study, the researches came to the conclusion that magnetic field of low frequency has positive effect on alleviation of pain. It was also noticed by Sieroń and Krawczyk-Krupka [6] who claim that therapy with magnetic field of low frequency has positive effect on reduction of pain and, thereby, is an alternative method for analgesic pharmacological agents.

Increase in the range of movement in studied knee joints was probably connected with the fact that pain was reduced, what contributes to improvement in mobility and to maintaining necessary range of movement. Magnetic field of low frequency has also anti-inflammatory effect and it can also contribute to reduction of pain and improvement in mobility joints, as well as to reduction of oedema. Observed significant statistical differences in measurements of circumference indicate that it is an effective anti-inflammatory therapy. Also other authors [7,8,9] draw attention to the analgesic, anti-inflammatory and anti-oedema effects of magnetotherapy in treatment of degenerative changes. Many studies [2,10] confirm that there is reduction of pain, improvement of mobility in joints in patients suffering from osteoporosis after this therapy. The results obtained in the study are compatible with reports of other authors [5,6,7,8] who confirm that magnetic field of low frequency is effective in treatment of gonarthritis. The fact that magnetotherapy has become a prevalent physiotherapeutic method is a confirmation that it is a right choice of therapy of people with degenerative knee joint disease.

5. Conclusions

Therapy with magnetic field of low frequency has significant effect on reduction of the level of severity of pain in patients with degenerative knee joint disease.

Therapy with magnetic field of low frequency contributes to the increase in the range of movement of joints.

Reduction of circumference in the area of knee joints of patients subjected to magnetotherapy indicates that oedema was reduced as a result of therapy.