Clinical
Studies
For the last 40 years, the medical community has directed its attention to PEMF as a viable therapy for more than 80 health conditions. In that time, hundreds of studies, trials and research programs have been dedicated to the efficacy and safety of PEMF as an adjunct therapy for pain relief and soft tissue healing. Select a treatment category below to review clinical studies and reviews.
Wound Healing, Regenerative Medicine
Authors
Christiano Luigi, Pratellesi Tiziano
Journal
Journal of Medical Research and Surgery
Title
Mechanisms of Action And Effects of Pulsed Electromagnetic
Fields (PEMF) in Medicine
Published
Date
December 10, 2020
Abstract
Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) therapy is a non-invasive and non-thermal treatment widely used nowadays to treat various types of disorders and traumas, both in humans and animals. Initially applied only for wound healing, today it finds many applications in medicine for the treatment of bone fractures, arthritis, inflammation, edema, and pain. Although its mechanisms of action are still being studied today, and mainly related to the calcium signaling pathway, it is effective in the adjuvant treatment of many human diseases in different medical specialties. This work aims to report the main evidence and research in the medical field with particular reference to the application of PEMF to some medical specialties as the regenerative medicine (wound care), sports medicine, orthopedics, and physiotherapy. Finally, this work also wanted to deepen one of the most recent applications of PEMF in the field of complex diseases, i.e. in the adjuvant treatment of cancer. Pulsed electromagnetic field therapy may play an important role in medicine as a complementary treatment for various human diseases and, by deepening the studies in the future, it will be possible not only to understand the exact mechanisms of action but also to extend its application to other pathologies both in the medical and veterinary fields.
Disclosure:
The following studies are for educational purposes only and do not represent endorsements of specific PEMF products or manufacturers.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
Arthritis, Chronic Inflammation
Authors
Richard HW Funk
Journal
American Journal of Translational Research
Title
Coupling of pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMF) therapy to molecular grounds of the cell
Published
Date
May 15, 2018
Abstract
In this review we compile results cited in reliable journals that show a ratio for the use of pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMF) in therapy, indeed. This is true especially for chronically inflamed joints. Furthermore, we try to link this therapeutic approach to the molecular background of chronic inflammation and arthritis. At first we start with the clinical outcome of PEMF therapy. Then, we look for possible triggers and an electromagnetic counterpart that is endogenously inherent in cell biology and in the tissues of interest. Finally, we want to investigate causal molecular and cellular mechanisms of possible PEMF actions. It shows that there are endogenous mechanisms, indeed, which can act as triggers for PEMF like the resting membrane potential as well as resonance mechanisms in charged moieties like membrane transporters. Especially voltage-gated calcium channels can be triggered. These may lead into specific signaling pathways and also may elicit nitric oxide as well as moderate radical reactions, which can ultimately lead to e.g. NFκB-like reactions. Concerted in the right way, these reactions can cause a kind of cell protection and ultimately lead to a dampening of inflammatory signals like interleukins.
Disclosure:
The following studies are for educational purposes only and do not represent endorsements of specific PEMF products or manufacturers.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors
Ju-Eun Hong, Chang-Gun Lee, Soonjae Hwang et al
Journal
International Journal of Molecular Sciences
Title
Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) Treatment Ameliorates Murine Model of Collagen-Induced Arthritis
Published
Date
January 6, 2023
Abstract
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease of the joint synovial membranes. RA is difficult to prevent or treat; however, blocking proinflammatory cytokines is a general therapeutic strategy. Pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) is reported to alleviate RA's inflammatory response and is being studied as a non-invasive physical therapy. In this current study, PEMF decreased paw inflammation in a collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) murine model. PEMF treatment at 10 Hz was more effective in ameliorating arthritis than at 75 Hz. In the PEMF-treated CIA group, the gross inflammation score and cartilage destruction were lower than in the untreated CIA group. The CIA group treated with PEMF also showed lower serum levels of IL-1β but not IL-6, IL-17, or TNF-α. Serum levels of total anti-type II collagen IgG and IgG subclasses (IgG1, IgG2a, and IgG2b) remained unchanged. In contrast, tissue protein levels of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-Β (RANK), RANK ligand (RANKL), IL-6 receptor (IL-6R), and TNF-α receptor1 (TNFR1) were all lower in the ankle joints of the PEMF-treated CIA group compared with the CIA group. The results of this study suggest that PEMF treatment can preserve joint morphology cartilage and delay the occurrence of CIA. PEMF has potential as an effective adjuvant therapy that can suppress the progression of RA.
Disclosure:
The following studies are for educational purposes only and do not represent endorsements of specific PEMF products or manufacturers.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
Osteoarthritis, Musculoskeletal, Pain Management
Authors
Xiaotian Yang, Hongchen He et al
Journal
Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Journal
Title
Effects of Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy on Pain, Stiffness, Physical Function, and Quality of Life in Patients with Osteoarthritis:
A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trials
Published
Date
April 6, 2020
Abstract
Objective
Pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) therapy is a potentially useful treatment for osteoarthritis (OA), but its effectiveness is still controversial. This study aimed to examine the effects of PEMF therapy and PEMF parameters on symptoms and quality of life (QOL) in patients with OA.
Methods
Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, PubMed, CINAHL, EMBASE, PEDro, clinical trial registers, and reference lists were searched until April 2019. This study examined randomized, placebo-controlled trials, patients with OA, symptom and/or QOL related outcomes, and articles published in English. Two authors extracted data and completed quality assessment.
Results
Sixteen studies were included in our systematic review, while 15 studies with complete data were included in the meta-analysis. Our primary outcome was the standardized mean difference, which was equal to the treatment effect in the PEMF group minus the treatment effect in the placebo group divided by the pooled standard deviation. For pain, the standardized mean difference was 1.06 (95% CI = 0.61 to 1.51), for stiffness 0.37 (95% CI = 0.07 to 0.67), for function 0.46 (95% CI = 0.14 to 0.78), and for QOL 1.49 (95% CI = −0.06 to 3.04). PEMF parameters did not influence symptoms.
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Conclusions
Compared with placebo, there was a beneficial effect of PEMF therapy on pain, stiffness, and physical function in patients with OA. Duration of treatment may not be a critical factor in pain management. Further studies are required to confirm the effects of PEMF therapy on QOL.
Impact
Our study suggests that PEMF therapy has clinically significant effects on pain in patients with OA. The current evidence was limited to the short-term effects of PEMF therapy.
Disclosure:
The following studies are for educational purposes only and do not represent endorsements of specific PEMF products or manufacturers.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
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