title: Effectiveness of an Innovative Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields Stimulation in Healing of Untreatable Skin Ulcers in the Frail Elderly: Two Case Reports.
abstract: Introduction. Recalcitrant skin ulcers are a major burden in elderly patients. Specifically, chronic wounds result in significant morbidity and mortality and have a profound economic impact. Pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMFs) have proved to be a promising therapy for wound healing. Here we describe the first reported case of an innovative PEMF therapy, Emysimmetric Bilateral Stimulation (EBS), used to successfully treat refractory skin ulcers in two elderly and fragile patients. Case Presentation. Two elderly patients developed multiple chronic skin ulcerations. Despite appropriate treatment, the ulcers showed little improvement and the risk of amputation was high. Both patients underwent daily EBS therapy and standard dressing. After few weeks of treatment, major improvements were observed and all ulcers had healed. Conclusion. In patients with refractory ulceration, EBS therapy may be of real benefit in terms of faster healing. This case supports the supportive role for PEMFs in the treatment of skin ulceration in diabetes and is suggestive of a potential benefit of EBS in this clinical condition.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Therapy, Section of Geriatrics, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy ; Agency for Elderly People Services, Hospital Santa Margherita, 27100 Pavia, Italy ; Ambra Elektron, Associazione Italiana di Biofisica per lo Studio dei Campi Elettromagnetici in Medicina, 00186 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Fabio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Guerriero
authors.affiliation: Ambra Elektron, Associazione Italiana di Biofisica per lo Studio dei Campi Elettromagnetici in Medicina, 00186 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Emanuele
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Botarelli
authors.affiliation: Ambra Elektron, Associazione Italiana di Biofisica per lo Studio dei Campi Elettromagnetici in Medicina, 00186 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Gianni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mele
authors.affiliation: Ambra Elektron, Associazione Italiana di Biofisica per lo Studio dei Campi Elettromagnetici in Medicina, 00186 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Lorenzo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Polo
authors.affiliation: Ambra Elektron, Associazione Italiana di Biofisica per lo Studio dei Campi Elettromagnetici in Medicina, 00186 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Daniele
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Zoncu
authors.affiliation: Ambra Elektron, Associazione Italiana di Biofisica per lo Studio dei Campi Elettromagnetici in Medicina, 00186 Rome, Italy ; Alberto Sorti Research Institute, Medicine and Metamolecular Biology, 10122 Turin, Italy.
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Renati
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Therapy, Section of Geriatrics, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: Carmelo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sgarlata
authors.affiliation: Agency for Elderly People Services, Hospital Santa Margherita, 27100 Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rollone
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Therapy, Section of Geriatrics, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy ; Agency for Elderly People Services, Hospital Santa Margherita, 27100 Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: Giovannoi
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ricevuti
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Therapy, Section of Geriatrics, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: Niccolò
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Maurizi
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Therapy, Section of Geriatrics, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: Matthew
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Francis
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, Experimental and Forensic Medicine, Section of Human Nutrition, Endocrinology and Nutrition Unit, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: Mariangela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rondanelli
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, Experimental and Forensic Medicine, Section of Human Nutrition, Endocrinology and Nutrition Unit, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: Simone
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Perna
authors.affiliation: Agency for Elderly People Services, Hospital Santa Margherita, 27100 Pavia, Italy ; Department of Public Health, Experimental and Forensic Medicine, Biostatistics and Clinical Epidemiology Unit, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: Davide
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Guido
authors.affiliation: Ambra Elektron, Associazione Italiana di Biofisica per lo Studio dei Campi Elettromagnetici in Medicina, 00186 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Piero
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Mannu