Is PEMF Effective Treatment For Pain?
oday I will look at 19 medical studies that show whether can PEMF therapy be used as a treatment for pain.
Here is a summary of 19 medical studies that researched the effects of PEMF therapy on pain, along with their results:
Pulsed electromagnetic field therapy effectiveness in low back pain: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials
PEMF therapy may relieve pain intensity and improve functionality in individuals with low back pain. Further research with standardized protocols and larger samples is needed for stronger conclusions.
A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial using a low-frequency magnetic field in the treatment of musculoskeletal chronic pain.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18080043/
PEMF therapy resulted in a clinically meaningful and statistically significant reduction in self-reported pain severity. Longer-term follow-up is needed to address concerns such as rebound exacerbation of pain or tolerance to the treatment.
Efficacy of pulsed electromagnetic field therapy on pain and physical function in patients with non-specific low back pain: a systematic review
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37999784/
PEMF therapy is a safe and beneficial treatment option for non-specific low back pain, especially when used as an addition to conventional physical therapy modalities. Future research should focus on standardized settings.
Effectiveness of pulsed electromagnetic field therapy on pain, functional status, and quality of life in patients with chronic non-specific neck pain: A prospective, randomized-controlled study
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7401674/
PEMF therapy is safe for patients with chronic non-specific neck pain but does not provide further improvement in pain and functionality when applied in addition to conventional physical therapy.
Effectiveness of pulsed electromagnetic field therapy in the management of complex regional pain syndrome type 1: A randomized-controlled trial
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9305649/
PEMF therapy was effective in managing pain in patients with complex regional pain syndrome type 1, suggesting it could be a useful addition to the treatment regimen for this condition.
Pain and Functional Scores in Patients Affected by Knee OA after Treatment with Pulsed Electromagnetic and Magnetic Fields: A Meta-Analysis
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1947603520931168
PEMF therapy showed short-term beneficial effects on pain in patients with knee osteoarthritis when applied after physical exercise.
Pulsed electromagnetic fields in knee osteoarthritis: a double blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial
PEMF therapy significantly improved pain in patients with knee osteoarthritis compared to a placebo.
Pulsed electromagnetic field therapy for managing pain in fibromyalgia: A randomized controlled study
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/bem.22127
PEMF therapy was found to reduce pain and improve functional status in patients with fibromyalgia.
Pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) as an adjunct therapy for pain management in interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34100976/
Based on these positive outcomes in a variety of pain conditions, clinical trials to evaluate whether PEMF can provide a safe, non-invasive therapeutic approach to improve symptoms of chronic pain and fatigue in patients with IC/BPS are warranted..
Pulsed electromagnetic field therapy for chronic neck pain: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7401674/
PEMF therapy resulted in significant pain reduction and improved neck function compared to placebo in patients with chronic neck pain.
Electrochemical therapy of pelvic pain: effects of Pulsed Electro-Magnetic Fields (PEMF) on tissue trauma, 1994
Jorgensen WA, Frome BM, Wallach C. International Pain Research Institute, Los Angeles, CA, USA
2000 Pain management and electro-magnetic medicine.
Ouellette EA., University of Miami School of Medicine, Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation, FL, USA.
Spine fusion for discogenic low back pain: outcomes in patients treated with or without Pulsed Electro-Magnetic Field stimulation, 2000
Marks RA. Richardson Orthopaedic Surgery, Texas, USA
Evaluation of electro-magnetic fields in the treatment of pain in patients with lumbar radiculopathy or the whiplash syndrome, 2002
Thuile Ch, Walzl M., International Society of Energy Medicine, Vienna, Austria
Pulsed magnetic field therapy in refractory neuropathic pain secondary to peripheral neuropathy: electrodiagnostic parameters–pilot study, 2004
Weintraub MI, Cole SP. New York Medical College, Briarcliff Manor, New York, USA.
A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial using a low-frequency magnetic field in the treatment of musculoskeletal chronic pain, 2007
Thomas et al., Bioelectromagnetics, Imaging Program, Lawson Health Research Institute, Department of Medical Biophysics, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Canada
Effects of pulsed electromagnetic fields on postoperative pain: a double-blind randomized pilot study in breast augmentation patients, 2008
Hedén P, Pilla AA., Aesthetic Plast Surg. 32:660-6
Providing the understanding of the mechanism of action of PEMF therapy, the plastic surgeon is the laboratory and clinical confirmation of decreased pain and swelling following injury or surgery, 2009
USA
Strauch et al., Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY
Short Term Effect of PEMF Magnetotherapy on Chronic Low Back Pain
P Galovic, D Celan, T Hernja-Rumpf – Journal of Magnetics, 2018 – dbpia.co.kr
These studies indicate that PEMF therapy can be an effective treatment for various types of pain, including low back pain, neck pain, osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, and complex regional pain syndrome. However, results vary, and some studies call for further research to optimize treatment protocols and confirm long-term benefits.
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