ORIGINAL PAPER
Effects of electromagnetic therapy on proprioception in a rodent animal model of rheumatoid arthritis
 
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1
Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
 
2
Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
 
3
Pathology Department, National Research Center, Ministry of Scientific Research, Cairo, Egypt
 
 
Submission date: 2022-08-13
 
 
Acceptance date: 2022-11-03
 
 
Publication date: 2024-03-25
 
 
Physiother Quart. 2024;32(1):84-92
 
KEYWORDS
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
Introduction:
This study aimed primarily to investigate the effect of a PEMF on proprioception in terms of mechanoreceptor number and function and secondarily to assess the gait quality (sciatic function index) and arthritis severity (paw volume and body weight) in adjuvant-induced arthritis (AIA) RA model.

Methods:
Twenty-eight healthy adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: (I) RA experimental model treated with a PEMF (10 animals), (II) positive control (10 animals), and (III) negative control (8 animals). Group I was exposed to a PEMF (0.3 mT 1 h/day for 2 weeks), while Groups II and III were placed in the same setup, except that the PEMF was turned off. The proprioceptive function [as tactile response (TR) / hopping response (HR) / forelimb placing test (FPT)], paw volume (PF), and mechanoreceptor numbers were then tested.

Results:
There was a significant preservation of mechanoreceptor numbers and proprioception in group I compared to group II, as follows: the number of Ruffini corpuscles mechanoreceptors (p = 0.007) and TR on days 9 and 14 (p = 0.002, 0.012, respectively) with no significant difference compared to group III. Also, PV decreased significantly in group I relative to group II (p = 0.01) with no significant difference for group III.

Conclusions:
PEMF significantly preserved proprioception receptors and function and decreased inflammation severity in the AIA-RA model.

 
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