A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL OF ELECTROMAGNETIC THERAPY IN THE PRIMARY-CARE MANAGEMENT OF VENOUS LEG ULCERATION

Objective. The aim was to establish the potential efficacy, tolerabili ty and side-effect profile of electromagnetic therapy as an adjunct to conventional dressings in the treatment of venous leg ulcers. Method. A prospective, randomized, double blind controlled clinical trial was carried out in a dedicated leg ulcer clinic based in one urban genera l practice. Nineteen patients with leg ulcers of confirmed venous aeti ology were assessed. The main outcome measures were rate and scale of venous leg ulcer healing, changes in patient-reported pain levels, qua lity of life, degree of mobility, side effect profile and acceptabilit y to patients and staff. Results. Sixty-eight per cent of patients att ending this dedicated clinic achieved improvements in the size of thei r ulcer (4, 21%, healed fully) and in reduced pain levels (P < 0.05) d uring the trial, despite the chronicity of ulcer histories. Patients t reated with electromagnetic therapy at 800 Hz were found at day 50 to have significantly greater healing (P < 0.05) and pain control (P < 0. 05) than placebo therapy or treatment with 600 Hz. All patients report ed improved mobility at the end of the study. The electromagnetic ther apy was well tolerated by patients, with no differences between groups in reporting adverse events, and proved acceptable to staff. Conclusi ons. Despite the small numbers in this pilot study, electromagnetic th erapy provided significant gains in the healing of venous leg ulcers a nd reduction in pain.