|
|
|
| Clinical Studies
Clinical Studies 1. THE UNIVERSITY OF PRETORIA Head of Project Prof. D.H. van Papendorp (MBChB, PhD Med – Univ of Stellenbosch), A.M. Joubert, A. Koorts, M.L Lottering (Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, South Africa). Study A comparitive study between a DC, MET electrical field (APS Therapy) and conventional TENS to determine the effect on ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate)levels in an in vitro system. Results and conclusion The APS Therapy device resulted in an increase of ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate) (extracellular) 27.7 fold. This clearly demonstrates the most important difference between the APS Therapy device and a conventional TENS device. Submitted Biomedical Engineering
2. THE UNIVERSITY OF PRETORIA Head of Project JC Seegers, M-L Lottering, AM Joubert, F Joubert, AM Koorts, CA Engelbrecht and DH van Papendorp (Departments of Physiology, Biochemistry and Physics, University of Pretoria, South Africa). Study The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of the application of a small amplitude, direct current (DC), (APS Therapy) pulsed electrical field on extracellular and intracellular ATP levels and total (intracellular and secreted) cAMP levels in in vitro and in vivo systems. Method Two APS devices were used, delivering a periodic, direct current, pulsed electrical field. The pulsed frequency used was 150Hz and the duration of treatment was 8 minutes for all studies. ATP was determined with an ATP Bioluminescence assay kit. cAMP was determined with a cAMP Enzyme-immunoassay system. Results In all nine Results ATP levels in vitro showed that the total concentration of ATP (intracellular and extracellular) was, however significantly, higher in the electrically treated cells. The total cAMP levels were decreased in cultured HeLa cells with electrical treatment. Further results showed the total cAMP levels were significantly increased in isolated lymphocytes with electrical treatment. Conclusion The clear effects on ATP and cAMP levels seen in these experiments indicate that the frequency, waveform and signal strength of the applied electrical field, is suitable for affecting measurable changes in the body. Published Medical Hypothesis – February 2002
3. THE UNIVERSITY OF PRETORIA Head of project D.H. van Papendorp, M.C. Maritz and N. Dippenaar (Department of Physiology, University of Pretoria, South Africa). Study The aim of this pilot study was to investigate what effect APS therapy has on two endogenous opiods viz ß endorphin, and leu-enkephalin, and on the non-opiod neuropeptide, Substance P. Method Twenty-four people took part in this study, twelve had chronic pain while the other twelve acted as the control group. Blood samples of all 24 subjects were taken before APS treatment and again immediately after five daily treatments, as well as one hour after the fifth and final treatment. Results Beta endorphin concentrations showed a fourfold increase in the pain group while the control group showed a 60% increase. Plasma leucine encephaline concentrations increased with APS therapy in the pain group. APS treatment had no effect on absorbance readings of the control group. Interestingly though, the absorbance readings of the pain group increased slightly after APS therapy, approaching those of the control group. Conclusion The specific reason for the progressive increase in leucine encephalin concentrations with APS therapy in the pain group, is attributed to the presently unknown effect of electrical currents of specific quality and duration on the body, resulting in attenuation of pain for pain relief. Combined with the increase in plasma endorphin concentrations demonstrated in this study, leucine encephalin may be internally involved in restructuring the relief of chronic pain in humans. Published The Medicine Journal – February 2002
4. THE UNIVERSITY OF PRETORIA Head of project Prof J.C Seegers (DSc), CA Engelbrecht, D.H van Papendorp (Department of Physiology, University of Pretoria, South Africa). Study Activation of signal – transduction mechanisms may underlie the therapeutic effects of an electric field. Results and conclusions In this thorough literature study, the positive scientific results of a DC current for anti-inflammatory effects, enhanced local blood circulation and the reduction of pain in arthritic patients was highlighted. Published Medical Hypothesis, August 2001 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5. THE UNIVERSITY OF PRETORIA Head of Project Prof. D.H. van Papendorp (MBChB, PhD Med - Univ of Stellenbosch) Study Assessment of Pain Relief on 285 patients with chronic pain. Method Visual Analogue Pain Scale (VAPS) Mobility Index Results The mean VAPS and MI improved significantly in the patient group as a whole. Conclusion “Both on clinical grounds and by patient self assessment, APS therapy appeared to be most beneficial. This study has also demonstrated significant clinical efficacy of the APS device.” - Prof. Van Papendorp. Published The Medicine Journal - January/February 2000 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6.The University of the Free State Head of the Project Prof. C.L. Odendaal (Head of the Pain Control Unit; Dept. Of Anaesthesiology; Faculty of Medicine; University of the Free State). Study 76 Patients with lower back pain due to osteoporosis, were selected. Method Randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study. Visual Analogue Pain Scale (VAPS) was the method used to measure the results. Results APS Therapy relieves pain to a statistically highly significant degree (p = 0,0001 - 0,0033). Conclusion Prof. C.L. Odendaal: “Clinically the effect of treatment was very successful. APS treatment may be an effective treatment for chronic backache in the osteoporotic patient.” Published The South African Journal of Anaesthesiology and Analgesia - March 1999 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7.THE UNIVERSITY OF WITWATERSRAND, JOHANNESBURG Head of Project Ms. P. Berger - BSc Physio (Wits), L. Matzer – MSc (University of Pretoria) Study Placebo controlled study on 99 patients with osteo-arthritis (OA) of the knee to investigate the effectiveness of APS. Method Randomised single blind study. Visual Analogue Pain Scale was used. Knee flexion by goniometer. Results It was statistically proved that APS therapy is effective in the treatment of patients with osteo-arthritis in the knee. Conclusion “The increased improvement in flexion in the APS group is remarkable considering that the treatment has ceased, yet, ongoing changes were occurring. The increased flexibility of the patients in the APS group enables the patient to participate more easily in an exercise regimen...and assists in the improvement of the quality of life of the osteo-arthritis patient”- Ms. P. Berger. Published The South African Journal of Anaesthesiology and Analgesia - June 1999 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8.THE UNIVERSITY OF PRETORIA The South African Medical Research Council (MRC) and the University of Cape Town Head of Project Prof. A.E. Bunn (Medical Research Council) Prof. L. Meyers (Head of the Rheumatic Disease Unit; Faculty of Medicine of the University of Cape Town). Study 40 Patients with painful osteo-arthritis of the knees were recruited from a list of patients requiring total knee replacements. Method Double-blinded placebo-controlled study measuring self-reported pain, morning stiffness and night pain. Results APS Therapy reduces pain, morning stiffness and night pain to a highly significant degree (p=0,0003). Conclusion Prof. A.E. Bunn: “The fact that the sample group was chosen from severe osteo-arthritic patients requiring total knee replacements makes this result very impressive”. Prof. L. Meyers : “This study has shown that the use of the pain relief pulse (APS) shows that after two (2) sequential applications significant reduction of self reported pain is achieved”. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
9.The University of Durban Westville Head of Project Mr. C.A. Liggings (Senior lecturer and Head of the Department of Physiotherapy; University of Durban Westville and King Edward Hospital.) Study 10 Patients with a variety of pain conditions and who had showed minimal or no response to other electrotherapeutic modalities, were selected. Method Patients were treated with APS Therapy after the treatment with other modalities. Visual Analogue Pain Scale (VAPS) was used as criteria in this study. Results 40% of the patients required only one treatment to relieve pain completely (Numerical Pain Rating scale = 0-10) 80% of patients had minimal pain by the end of two treatment sessions (N.P.R.S = 0-2) Conclusions Mr. C.A. Liggins: “In the case of deep-seated pain, the APS Therapy device was more effective than other modalities”. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10.The University of Pretoria Head of Project Dr. J. du Preez (Senior Consultant, Department of Neurosurgery; University of Pretoria and Consultant; Gauteng Provincial Administration). Study 31 Patients suffering neurosurgical pain conditions and awaiting destructive surgery, were selected. Method Clinical experience over a period of three months. Results A significant improvement in certain surgical conditions. Conclusions Dr. J. du Preez: “For the past few years APS Therapy has been used with success as an adjunctive to neurosurgery in different patients, presenting with both acute but mostly chronic pain states. We propose that all patients waiting for destructive surgery should first be put on a thorough trial of APS Therapy”. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- General clinical studies Head of project Dr. C. Marais, Saskatchewan, Canada Study 174 patients treated for 55 different ailments over 3 months period. Results From the 157 patients treated (17 did not return for follow-up treatments), the following observations were made: 72% improved or felt that APS therapy was better than other treatment modalities 28% did not improve or felt that APS therapy was equal to other modalities 50 % had immediate relief of pain 20% had immediate improvement of swelling 54% had immediate improvement of stiffness 50% had immediate improvement of mobility 23% had gradual improvement of pain 8% had a gradual improvement of swelling 15% had gradual improvement of stiffness 14% had gradual improvement of mobility Head of project Dr. P. James Watt, Auckland, New Zealand Study 32 patients treated for a wide range of musculoskeletal pain conditions, using the VAPS Results 78% reported a positive response to the first treatment. Of the 24 patients that received a follow-up treatment, 83% reported a positive response. Conclusion “Generally the treatment was used in conjunction with mobilization of manipulation and was a useful addendum. The efficacy was generally similar to acupuncture used in the same situation but was easier to administer and on occasions had very successful relief of pain.... I found the device easy to use and particularly useful in reducing the initial discomfort after difficult mobilization. This resulted in a reduced need for pharmaceutical prescription.” Dr. Watt --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Head of Project Dr. P. Botes, Auckland, New Zealand Study 38 patients treated for a wide range of muscoskeletal pain conditions and to determine the impact of the APS device on wound healing and mobility, using the VAPS. Results After the first treatments, the average VAPS score fell 40%. After the second treatments, the average VAPS score fell 38%. Both changes in VAPS scores were significant, with p<0.0001 for the corresponding t-tests. 3 Participants presented with slow-healing wounds, all of which reported accelerated rates of healing (in addition to reduced discomfort). Conclusion “The efficacy was generally good, especially for conditions relating to the lumbar/ sacroiliac region. In addition to pain relief, the device appeared to have a noticeable effect on mobility. Those who presented with slow-healing wounds experienced dramatically accelerated rates of healing. There was also a reduced need for pharmaceutical prescription” - Dr. Botes. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Head of Project Prof. C. J Zeelie (Unit for Health Services, Port Elizabeth Technikon) Study In this project the ability of electro-medicine, and in particular a device known as APS Compact, to relieve pain of 243 patients was investigated. Individuals were treated for a variety of pains encountered in various body parts including both hard and soft tissue Results In all cases good pain relief was observed. In some cases the extent of pain relief was not very great, but the relief experienced was so significantly profound that the individual who had not been able to sleep for several days actually fell asleep during the treatment Conclusion The APS Compact was found to be extremely effective in the treatment of a wide variety of pains, in both soft and hard tissues of the body. In a wide spectrum of health or medical disorders the device was found to be useful in the treatment of pain in both young and old, sick and healthy individuals. Good accumulative and surprising residual effects were observed in the treatment of pain in terminally ill patients. The APS Compact is a good, inexpensive alternative for conventional medicine. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Head of Project Dr Kahl (Practice - Van der Bijlpark) Study The use of APS therapy in leg ulcer treatment The APS treatment (24 minutes daily) was used in co-ordination with four layer compression bandaging Results Two treatments after the commencement of this regime, the wounds started to granulate better and exudate was less, the wounds started to epitheliase. The medial wound was completely covered with epithelium after three months Conclusion The improvement in the wounds was astonishing. The patient does not complain about pain … she is very happy, perhaps her legs will be free of ulcers for the first time in sixteen years.
|
|
This site is designed and maintained by Pyramid Voices ©2002 [Gareth H Broeksma] Electronic Mail |
Under Construction
