Professor Phyllis Berger

THE TREATMENT:

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• Only three treatments once weekly

• There is NO CHARGE for treatment

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R50.00 is given for travelling to three appointments AND three assessments - 1, 3 and 6 months after last treatment - R300.00 in total

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TREATMENT CONSISTS OF:

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• A PAINLESS electrical pulse for 10 minutes on each leg

• Patients are assessed before each treatment, and then 1, 3 and 6 months after the last treatment

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This treatment is used for relieving both nerve pain and improving nerve conduction

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WHAT DOES THE DIABETIC NEUROPATHY PATIENT HAVE TO DO TO JOIN THIS STUDY?

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• Contact Prof Berger 082 411 7777 to make an appointment

• Treatments and assessments will take place on a Tuesday or Thursday at allocated times

• The assessment and the treatment is given at your physician’s office or at another designated facility

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WHAT HAPPENS AT THE FIRST APPOINTMENT?

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• Each patient is given a form explaining the treatment and has to sign a consent form permitting this assessment and treatment to take place

• Each patient is then tested by answering questions and a having a physical examination of gently touching, pricking and brushing the area being tested – feet and/or legs (not painful)

• The patient has to score at least 4 out of the 10 to qualify for joining this study

 

 

• Once qualified, the patient is required to fill in a subject information and Brief Pain Inventory Form

• The patient will choose a random number from a selection of numbers on a form

• That number will be allocated to an active or a placebo device chosen by the manufacturer

• The therapist and the patient will not know which is the active device

• Patients given placebo will be offered three free treatments when the results are known

• The patient will then have the nerve to be treated marked with a marking pen – not painful

• Treatment of 10 mins will be given to each leg on the allocated area – not painful

• Each of the three assessments and treatments will take 30 mins

• Each of the three assessments - one, three and six months after the last treatment will take 15 mins

• Patients will be paid R150 after the three treatments and R150 after the three assessments towards their transport expenses

 

All information is kept confidential

This study is generated through the University of the Witwatersrand

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