MedPath

Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields for Analgesia Post Mastectomy

Not Applicable
Recruiting
Conditions
Post Operative Pain
Female Breast Cancer
Interventions
Device: Non-active AlgoCare
Device: Active AlgoCare
Registration Number
NCT06331793
Lead Sponsor
European Institute of Oncology
Brief Summary

Study aim is to test AlgoCare, a device that uses the technology PEMF (Pulsed ElectroMagnetic Fields) for the treatment of postoperative pain in oncological breast surgery, in order to demonstrate that the use of Algocare in the postoperative period allows for a reduction in pain intensity in terms of Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) score and use of analgesic drugs.

Detailed Description

The treatment of postoperative pain is a priority issue for both the doctor and the patient. Obtaining adequate analgesia in the first postoperative days, in fact, is essential for the patient's comfort, but also to promote and accelerate functional recovery and prevent chronic pain, which in the case of breast surgery has a high incidence (20-60 %).

The use of pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMF) for the treatment of pain and inflammation has been widely studied and validated.

Study aim is to test AlgoCare, a device that uses the technology PEMF (Pulsed ElectroMagnetic Fields), for the treatment of postoperative pain in oncological breast surgery. This is a field of application in which this technique analgesic has never been tested, but in which it could prove valid within a multimodal analgesia protocol, as the pain caused by this type of intervention is predominantly parietal and resulting from tissue trauma caused by the surgical wound. AlgoCare is a non-invasive and non-pharmacological device, developed specifically for treatment of post-operative inflammation and pain, CE certified and registered with the Ministry of Health. It emits a pulsed radio frequency electromagnetic field at 27.1 MHz, a frequency already studied and approved for medical use.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
RECRUITING
Sex
Female
Target Recruitment
160
Inclusion Criteria
  • Breast cancer patients undergoing unilateral mastectomy with reconstruction and without axillary dissection
Exclusion Criteria
  • Patients with PaceMakers (PMs), Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators (ICDs), neurostimulators or other active medical devices or metal implants near the application area
  • Pregnancy
  • Amyloidosis, sarcoidosis, scleroderma, infectious arthritis, Paget's disease or joint tumors

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Non-active AlgoCareNon-active AlgoCareA non-active AlgoCare device (that doesn't emit pulsed radio frequency electromagnetic field) will be placed over the surgical dressing using a plaster or bandage for six days.
Active AlgoCareActive AlgoCareAn active AlgoCare device (that emits a pulsed radio frequency electromagnetic field at 27.1 MHz) will be placed over the surgical dressing using a plaster or bandage for six days.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Pain intensity72 hours

Difference in mean NRS score between the two arms, at 24 hours and 72 hours after surgery (minimum value: 0, maximum value: 10 - higher scores mean a worse outcome)

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Patient reported pain characteristics3 months

Compare characteristics of pain between the two arms by collection of a questionnaire that describes kind of pain experienced by patient

Need for other drugs3 months

Compare use of drugs (other than analgesic ones) between the two arms

Number of participants with other symptoms3 months

Compare presence of other symptoms between the two arms by collection of a questionnarie in which patient reports occurence of nausea, vomiting or other symptoms

Need for analgesic drugs3 months

Compare analgesic drugs use between the two arms

Wound healing timing3 months

Compare days needed to complete wound healing between the two arms

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

European Institute of Oncology

🇮🇹

Milan, Italy

© Copyright 2025. All Rights Reserved by MedPath