Analgesic effect of pulsed electromagnetic fields for mammaplasty: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled studies

Medicine (Baltimore). 2020 Aug 28;99(35):e21449. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000021449.

Abstract

Background: Pulsed electromagnetic fields shows some potential in alleviating pain after mammaplasty. This systematic review and meta-analysis is conducted to investigate the analgesic efficacy of pulsed electromagnetic fields for pain control after mammaplasty.

Methods: The databases including PubMed, EMbase, Web of science, EBSCO, and Cochrane library databases are systematically searched for collecting the randomized controlled trials regarding the impact of pulsed electromagnetic fields on pain intensity after mammaplasty.

Results: This meta-analysis has included 4 randomized controlled trials. Compared with control group after mammaplasty, pulsed electromagnetic fields results in remarkably reduced pain scores on 1 day (MD = -1.34; 95% confidence interval [CI] = -2.23 to -0.45; P = .003) and 3 days (MD = -1.86; 95% CI = -3.23 to -0.49; P = .008), as well as analgesic consumption (Std. MD = -5.64; 95% CI = -7.26 to -4.02; P < .00001).

Conclusions: Pulsed electromagnetic fields is associated with substantially reduced pain intensity after mammaplasty.

Publication types

  • Meta-Analysis
  • Systematic Review

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Analgesics / pharmacology
  • Breast / surgery*
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Electromagnetic Fields / adverse effects*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Mammaplasty / adverse effects*
  • Middle Aged
  • Pain Management / methods
  • Pain, Postoperative / drug therapy*
  • Pain, Postoperative / prevention & control
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Analgesics