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Laser Therapy Versus Electromagnetic Field on Mucosal Membrane Thickening in Children With Chronic Rhinosinusitis
Nesrin Afify Abdulrashid1, Hamada El-Sayed Ayoub2, Ahmed Mamdouh AbdelKader3
1Department of Physical Therapy for Surgery, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University, Egypt.
Insights
Both low-level laser therapy (LLLT) and pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) effectively reduced mucosal thickening in children with chronic rhinosinusitis. No significant difference was found between these non-pharmacological treatments.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Pediatric Health
- Medical Physics
Background:
- Chronic rhinosinusitis is common in children, often underdiagnosed.
- Non-pharmacological treatments are needed for managing pediatric chronic rhinosinusitis.
- Mucosal membrane thickening is a key indicator of chronic rhinosinusitis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the efficacy of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) and pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) in treating chronic rhinosinusitis in children.
- To evaluate the impact of LLLT and PEMF on mucosal membrane thickening.
- To assess non-pharmacological, painless, and safe treatment modalities for pediatric chronic rhinosinusitis.
Main Methods:
- A controlled clinical study involving 30 children (ages 6-13) with chronic rhinosinusitis.
- Participants were divided into two equal groups: one receiving PEMF, the other LLLT.
- Computed tomography (CT) scans were used for pre- and post-treatment evaluation of mucosal membrane thickness.
Main Results:
- Both PEMF and LLLT groups showed statistically significant improvements in mucosal membrane thickness (P<0.05).
- No statistically significant difference in improvement was observed between the PEMF and LLLT groups (P>0.05).
- Both modalities demonstrated effectiveness in reducing mucosal thickening.
Conclusions:
- LLLT and PEMF are effective non-pharmacological options for managing chronic rhinosinusitis symptoms in children.
- There is no significant difference in efficacy between LLLT and PEMF for this condition.
- These therapies offer safe and painless alternatives for pediatric chronic rhinosinusitis management.
Abstract:
Introduction: Rhinosinusitis is a frequent disease in children but may be underdiagnosed, that is to say, several causes of the disease are missed in children. Therefore, it seems essential to provide other modalities to treat chronic health conditions like such cases. This controlled clinical study was conducted to compare the effect of two non-pharmacological, painless, safe modalities; low-level laser therapy (LLLT), with pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) on mucosal membrane thickening in children with chronic rhinosinusitis. Methods: Thirty children with chronic sinusitis participated in this study, their ages ranged from 6 to 13 years old, recruited from the outpatients ENT clinic, Kasr Al Aini teaching hospital. They were classified into 2 groups of equal number; study group A (PEMF group) and study group B (LLLT group). These children were evaluated before the starting and after the end of the study through CT scan full examination (coronal and axial) for all children. Results: This study showed that there were statistically significant improvements in mucosal membrane thickness in both groups (P<0.05), while there was no statistically significant difference between groups (P>0.05). Conclusion: From the obtained outcomes it can be concluded that both the laser and electromagnetic field can be used effectively in the management of symptoms in children with chronic rhinosinusitis, while no significant difference between these modalities obtained.
