Explore Plastic Surgery - Dr. Barry Eppley

Plastic surgery is one of the marvels of modern medicine, with a wide range of options for face and body improvements. And today’s media outlets make it easier than ever before to gather information on the latest plastic surgery procedures. But how does this information apply to you and your concerns?

Every person is unique and has his or her own desires. What procedure or combination of treatments is right for you? And what can you really expect? EXPLORE PLASTIC SURGERY with Dr. Barry Eppley, Indianapolis plastic surgeon, who can provide you with a wealth of practical and up-to-date insights into the world of plastic surgery through his regular blog posts. In his writings, Dr. Eppley covers diverse topics on facial and body contouring procedures. You will be sure to find useful information that will help broaden and enrich your plastic surgery education.

Objectives: To test the safety and effectiveness of a wearable Pulsed ElectroMagnetic Field device (PEMF), called the Allay Period Relief Patch, for the symptomatic relief of the pain associated with dysmenorrhea.

Design: A prospective randomized double-blinded and positive controlled clinical trial was conducted in two different cities (Indianapolis and San Francisco) of randomly selected women between the ages of 18 to 35 who experience moderate to severe menstrual pain.  Allay Patches were asked to be worn at the onset of one’s menstrual cycle and worn for five consecutive days. Prior to wearing the patch each women recorded her level of pain during a traditional menstrual cycle.  The outcome measure while wear the patch was then was compared to that of their traditional cycle pain.

Participants: Ninety-one (91) women were enrolled with moderately severe dysmenorrhea and were randomly assigned an active or control Allay Patch.

Results:  Of the ninety-one (91) study enrollees, forty-four (44) were from San Francisco and forty-seven (47) from Indianapolis. Forty-eight (48) patients had active patches while the remaining forty-three (43) were placebos. The average age of study patients was 26.2 years.

Of the active patch group, thirty-seven (37), which represents 77.1% of the group, reported either complete elimination or reduction in their typical menstrual pain symptoms. Four (4) patients in the active patch group reported no pain at all (10.8%) while the average amount of pain reduction in the remainder was 55%.  (range 10 - 95%)  48.6% (18) showed least a 50% pain reduction.

In the active responder control group (placebo), no patients (6) reported complete elimination of pain while the reduction in pain averaged 20%. The differences in positive response to either the active or control patch was of statistical significance. (p < 0.05)

Conclusions: The Allay Patch is an effective and safe non-drug method for use in the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea. It can be used as a primary treatment method for those women with moderate dysmenorrhea who do not prefer to take medication. In more severe cases of dysmenorrhea, it can be an adjuvant treatment to reduce the amount of duration or other oral medications.

Dr. Barry Eppley

http://www.eppleyplasticsurgery.com

http://www.ologyspa.com

Clarian North Medical Center, Carmel, Indiana

Clarian West Medical Center, Avon, Indiana

Indianapolis