Forskning

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 Pretoria 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.


Other quotes/remarks from the Medical Profession
Prof. Dr. Elsa de Wet (University of the Free State)
“It is now scientifically proven, without any doubt, that the APS Therapy device is very effective in the treatment of pain and inflammation”.

D.M. Gunesee (Mauritius - Medical Advisor)
“The seminar dispelled any doubts, if there were any, about the efficiency of APS Therapy in the treatment for pain”.

Dr. Sonneveld (Medical advisor to Medscheme & Esmed Medical Aids)
“All the people, that I know, who used the APS Therapy device,..had remarkable success”.

Prof. C.L. Odendaal (Pain Control Unit, Department Anetesiology, University of the Free State)
“We must not be so stubborn not to realise that other means of treatment might actually be better than our own methods...” I am sure that this device will eventually become part of the armamentarium of the “Pain Physician”.

Prof. Dirk van Papendorp (Head, Department of Physiology, University of Pretoria)
“The APS Therapy device proved new hope to many patients, especially those with pain due to Osteoporosis and Osteo-arthritis. A huge future lies ahead in the use of the APS device”.

Dr. Guldenphennig (Neurosurgeon, Pretoria)
“It is effective in the treatment of acute muscle pains, especially associated with tennis and golf. The device is easy to use and the Therapy has no side-effects”.

Dr. Tertius Walters
“The improvement of quality of life through the use of APS Therapy, is just unbelievable”.

Prof. Chris Barnard (Pioneer heart transplanter)
“With Rheumatoid Arthritis, the use of the APS device will not cure the disease, but will create alleviation in pain and will lead to the reduction in the need of anti-inflammatory drugs”.

Mohammed Al Hefdhi (Assistant Department Head, Physical Therapy Department, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Saudi Arabia)
The APS has been trialled on 10 patients in the Physical Department with highly satisfactory results. Some patients with musculosketeltal pain with an inflammatory component have reported reduced usage of medication after using the device. In our opinion the wavelength is more refined providing improved pain relief particularly in the acute stage. An additional benefit is the convenient size and application.

M. Klimas (MScP, Physiotherapy Department, New AL QASSIMI Hospital, United Arab Emirates)
We had the opportunity of testing the APS therapy unit for different medical conditions in our physiotherapy department. The device was tested on patients as well as staff and the conclusion was as follows: Pain relief is faster, the sensation is comfortable, duration of pain relief is longer, treatment time could be shortened and the device is easy to handle and portable.

J. Sandham (IEng MIIE MIHEEM, Biomedical Engineer, Department of Electronic Biomedical Engineering, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Essex, England)
APS Therapy can be used to treat a number of painful inflammatory conditions, such as arthritis, gout, bone breaks and sprains. It has proven to be very effective and in many cases results in the patient no longer requiring medication for inflammation and pain.