Efficacy of Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy for Pain Management After Impacted Mandibular Third Molar Surgery. A Randomized Clinical Trial

Abstract

BackgroundPostoperative pain and swelling associated with the removal of the third molar (M3) adversely affect the patient’s quality of life. PurposeThe study aims to measure pain reduction and analgesic use in patients treated with pulsed electromagnetic field therapy (PEMF) following M3 removal and compare it to patients who did not receive PEMF. Study design, setting, sampleThe single-center study was designed as a randomized, prospective, controlled, double-blinded trial on a sample of patients with impacted mandibular M3 ascertained by x-ray orthopantomography and computed tomography (CT). Predictor/exposure/independent variablesThe predictor variable is postoperative pain management. It was assigned randomly to each subject who received either PEMF or standard therapy. Main outcome variablesThe pain was quantified using a 100 mm visual analog scale (VAS) and the number of analgesics taken. Each subject kept a daily clinical diary for 7 days, recording the amount of pain using the VAS scale and the number of analgesic tablets taken. CovariatesThe study covariates were age, sex, tobacco use, and Pell and Gregory's classification of M3s. AnalysesA t-student test was used, placing the statistical significance for p-value values < 0.05. The primary planned analysis was a two-group, continuity-corrected, chi-square test of equality of proportions. ResultsThe study sample included 90 patients, 47 men and 43 women, with an average age of 32.43 ± 8.80 years. PEMF was statistically associated with improved pain reduction (2.08 vs 5.04 with a p-value = 0.0002) and consumption of fewer analgesics than the control group (2.6 vs 5.8 with a p-value = 0.0062). Conclusions and RelevanceThe study’s results attest to the effectiveness of PEMF therapy in pain control after third molar surgery.