Research on Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields (PEMF)
PEMF uses electrical energy to direct a series of magnetic pulses through injured tissue whereby each magnetic pulse induces a tiny electrical signal that stimulates cellular repair. Many studies have also demonstrated the effectiveness of PEMF in healing soft-tissue wounds; suppressing inflammatory responses at the cell membrane level to alleviate pain, and increasing range of motion. The value of pulsed electromagnetic field therapy has been shown to cover a wide range of conditions, with well documented trials carried out by hospitals, rheumatologists and physiotherapists. Text from Wikipedia.
Published research on PEMF Therapy.
Low-frequency pulsed electromagnetic field therapy in fibromyalgia: a randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled clinical study.
CONCLUSION: Low-frequency PEMF therapy might improve function, pain, fatigue, and global status in FM patients.
Sutbeyaz ST, Sezer N, Koseoglu F, Kibar S.
Clin J Pain. 2009 Oct;25(8):722-8.PMID: 19920724 Related citations
Effect of biomagnetic therapy versus physiotherapy for treatment of knee osteoarthritis: a randomized controlled trial.
CONCLUSION: Like physiotherapy, pulsed signal therapy has improved the clinical state of treated patients but with no significant statistical difference. Pulsed signal therapy is, however, more expensive.
Gremion G, Gaillard D, Leyvraz PF, Jolles BM.
J Rehabil Med. 2009 Nov;41(13):1090-5.PMID: 19894007 Related citations
Pulsed electromagnetic fields after arthroscopic treatment for osteochondral defects of the talus: double-blind randomized controlled multicenter trial.
van Bergen CJ, Blankevoort L, de Haan RJ, Sierevelt IN, Meuffels DE, d’Hooghe PR, Krips R, van Damme G, van Dijk CN.
BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2009 Jul 10;10:83.PMID: 19591674 Related citations
Pulsed electromagnetic fields to reduce diabetic neuropathic pain and stimulate neuronal repair: a randomized controlled trial.
CONCLUSIONS: PEMF at this dosimetry was noneffective in reducing NP. However neurobiological effects on ENFD, PGIC and reduced itching scores suggest future studies are indicated with higher dosimetry (3000-5000 G), longer duration of exposure, and larger biopsy cohort.
Weintraub MI, Herrmann DN, Smith AG, Backonja MM, Cole SP.
Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2009 Jul;90(7):1102-9.PMID: 19577022 Related citations
Effects of pulsed electromagnetic stimulation on patients undergoing hip revision prostheses: a randomized prospective double-blind study.
CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that PEMF treatment aids clinical recovery and bone stock restoration.
Dallari D, Fini M, Giavaresi G, Del Piccolo N, Stagni C, Amendola L, Rani N, Gnudi S, Giardino R.
Bioelectromagnetics. 2009 Sep;30(6):423-30.PMID: 19384914 Related citations
Effects of biophysical stimulation in patients undergoing arthroscopic reconstruction of anterior cruciate ligament: prospective, randomized and double blind study.
CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study show that patient’s functional recovery occurs earlier in the active group. No side effects were observed and the treatment was well tolerated. The use of I-ONE should always be considered after ACL reconstruction, particularly in professional athletes, to shorten the recovery time, to limit joint inflammatory reaction and its catabolic effects on articular cartilage and ultimately for joint preservation.
Benazzo F, Zanon G, Pederzini L, Modonesi F, Cardile C, Falez F, Ciolli L, La Cava F, Giannini S, Buda R, Setti S, Caruso G, Massari L.
Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. 2008 Jun;16(6):595-601. Epub 2008 Apr 2.PMID: 18385980, Related citations
The effectiveness of pulsed electrical stimulation (E-PES) in the management of osteoarthritis of the knee: a protocol for a randomised controlled trial.
Fary RE, Carroll GJ, Briffa TG, Gupta R, Briffa NK.
BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2008 Feb 4;9:18.PMID: 18241355 Related citations
A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial using a low-frequency magnetic field in the treatment of musculoskeletal chronic pain.
CONCLUSIONS: PEMF may be a novel, safe and effective therapeutic tool for use in at least certain subsets of patients with chronic, nonmalignant pain. Clearly, however, a larger randomized, double-blind clinical trial with just FM patients is warranted.
Thomas AW, Graham K, Prato FS, McKay J, Forster PM, Moulin DE, Chari S.
Pain Res Manag. 2007 Winter;12(4):249-58.PMID: 18080043 Related citations
Pulsed radio-frequency electromagnetic fields: dose-dependent effects on sleep, the sleep EEG and cognitive performance.
CONCLUSIONS: In summary, this study reveals first indications of a dose-response relationship between EMF field intensity and its effects on brain physiology as demonstrated by changes in the sleep EEG and in cognitive performance.
Regel SJ, Tinguely G, Schuderer J, Adam M, Kuster N, Landolt HP, Achermann P.
J Sleep Res. 2007 Sep;16(3):253-8.PMID: 17716273 Related citations
Short-term effects of pulsed electromagnetic fields after physical exercise are dependent on autonomic tone before exposure.
CONCLUSIONS: PEMF exposure has a short-term dosage-dependent impact on healthy subjects. Exposure to PEMF for 20 min resulted in more rapid recovery of heart rate variability, especially in the very low frequency range after physical strain.
Grote V, Lackner H, Kelz C, Trapp M, Aichinger F, Puff H, Moser M.
Eur J Appl Physiol. 2007 Nov;101(4):495-502. Epub 2007 Aug 3.PMID: 17674028 Related citations
Pulsed magnetic fields accelerate cutaneous wound healing in rats.
CONCLUSION: The authors successfully demonstrated that exposing wounds to pulsed magnetic fields of very specific configurations accelerated early wound healing in this animal model, as evidenced by significantly increased wound tensile strength at 21 days after wounding.
Strauch B, Patel MK, Navarro JA, Berdichevsky M, Yu HL, Pilla AA.
Plast Reconstr Surg. 2007 Aug;120(2):425-30.PMID: 17632344 Related citations
Effects of pulsed electromagnetic fields on patients’ recovery after arthroscopic surgery: prospective, randomized and double-blind study.
Zorzi C, Dall’Oca C, Cadossi R, Setti S.
Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. 2007 Jul;15(7):830-4. Epub 2007 Feb 28.PMID: 17333120 Related citations
Exposure to a specific pulsed low-frequency magnetic field: a double-blind placebo-controlled study of effects on pain ratings in rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia patients.
CONCLUSION: These findings provide some initial support for the use of PEMF exposure in reducing pain in chronic pain populations and warrants continued investigation into the use of PEMF exposure for short-term pain relief.
Shupak NM, McKay JC, Nielson WR, Rollman GB, Prato FS, Thomas AW.
Pain Res Manag. 2006 Summer;11(2):85-90.PMID: 16770449 Related citations
Efficacy of pulsed electromagnetic therapy for chronic lower back pain: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.
CONCLUSION: PEMT reduced pain and disability and appears to be a potentially useful therapeutic tool for the conservative management of chronic lower back pain.
Lee PB, Kim YC, Lim YJ, Lee CJ, Choi SS, Park SH, Lee JG, Lee SC.
J Int Med Res. 2006 Mar-Apr;34(2):160-7.PMID: 16749411 Related citations
Treatment of knee osteoarthritis with pulsed electromagnetic fields: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.
CONCLUSIONS: Applying between group analysis we were unable to demonstrate a beneficial symptomatic effect of PEMF in the treatment of knee OA in all patients. However, in patients <65 years of age there is significant and beneficial effect of treatment related to stiffness.
Thamsborg G, Florescu A, Oturai P, Fallentin E, Tritsaris K, Dissing S.
Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 2005 Jul;13(7):575-81.PMID: 15979009 Related citations
Human exposure to a specific pulsed magnetic field: effects on thermal sensory and pain thresholds.
CONCLUSION: Taken together, these results indicate that MF exposure does not affect basic human perception, but can increase pain thresholds in a manner indicative of an analgesic response. The potential involvement of the placebo effect is discussed.
Shupak NM, Prato FS, Thomas AW.
Neurosci Lett. 2004 Jun 10;363(2):157-62.PMID: 15172106 Related citations
Effects of a pulsed electromagnetic therapy on multiple sclerosis fatigue and quality of life: a double-blind, placebo controlled trial.
CONCLUSIONS: Evidence from this randomized, double-bind, placebo controlled trial is consistent with results from smaller studies suggesting that exposure to pulsing, weak electromagnetic fields can alleviate symptoms of MS. The clinical effects were small, however, and need to be replicated. Additional research is also needed to examine the possibility that ambulatory patients and patients taking interferons for their MS may be most responsive to this kind of treatment.
Lappin MS, Lawrie FW, Richards TL, Kramer ED.
Altern Ther Health Med. 2003 Jul-Aug;9(4):38-48.PMID: 12868251 Related citations
Pulsed magnetic field therapy for osteoarthritis of the knee–a double-blind sham-controlled trial.
CONCLUSION: In patients with symptomatic osteoarthritis of the knee, PMF treatment can reduce impairment in activities of daily life and improve knee function.
Nicolakis P, Kollmitzer J, Crevenna R, Bittner C, Erdogmus CB, Nicolakis J.
Wien Klin Wochenschr. 2002 Aug 30;114(15-16):678-84.PMID: 12602111 Related citations
Pulsed magnetic field therapy for osteoarthritis of the knee–a double-blind sham-controlled trial.
Müllner M.
Wien Klin Wochenschr. 2002 Nov 30;114(21-22):953; author reply 953. No abstract available. PMID: 12528331 Related citations
Magnetic pulse treatment for knee osteoarthritis: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.
CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the Medicur unipolar magnetic devices are beneficial in reducing pain and disability in patients with knee OA resistant to conventional treatment in the absence of significant side-effects.
Pipitone N, Scott DL.
Curr Med Res Opin. 2001;17(3):190-6.PMID: 11900312 Related citations
[Is CNS activity modified by pulsed electromagnetic fields?]
Maier R.
Biomed Tech (Berl). 2001 Jan-Feb;46(1-2):18-23. German. PMID: 11258136 Related citations
The effect of pulsed electromagnetic fields in the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee and cervical spine. Report of randomized, double blind, placebo controlled trials.
CONCLUSION: PEMF has therapeutic benefit in painful OA of the knee or cervical spine.
Trock DH, Bollet AJ, Markoll R.
J Rheumatol. 1994 Oct;21(10):1903-11.PMID: 7837158 Related citations
A double-blind trial of the clinical effects of pulsed electromagnetic fields in osteoarthritis.
CONCLUSION: The decreased pain and improved functional performance of treated patients suggests that this configuration of PEMF has potential as an effective method of improving symptoms in patients with OA.
Trock DH, Bollet AJ, Dyer RH Jr, Fielding LP, Miner WK, Markoll R.
J Rheumatol. 1993 Mar;20(3):456-60.PMID: 8478852 Related citations
Pulsed, non-thermal, high-frequency electromagnetic energy (DIAPULSE) in the treatment of grade I and grade II ankle sprains.
CONCLUSION: The application of this modality in acutely sprained ankles could result in significant decreases in time lost to military training.
Pennington GM, Danley DL, Sumko MH, Bucknell A, Nelson JH.
Mil Med. 1993 Feb;158(2):101-4.PMID: 8441490 Related citations
A portable pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) device to enhance healing of recalcitrant venous ulcers: a double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.
CONCLUSION: We conclude that the PELUT device is a safe and effective adjunct to non-surgical therapy for recalcitrant venous leg ulcers.
Stiller MJ, Pak GH, Shupack JL, Thaler S, Kenny C, Jondreau L.
Br J Dermatol. 1992 Aug;127(2):147-54.PMID: 1390143 Related citations
The effects of pulsed electromagnetic fields on blood vessel growth in the rabbit ear chamber.
CONCLUSION: It is concluded that some of the observed effects of pulsed electromagnetic fields on tissue healing may be mediated through a primary effect on vascular growth.
Greenough CG.
J Orthop Res. 1992 Mar;10(2):256-62.PMID: 1371318 Related citations
Low energy high frequency pulsed electromagnetic therapy for acute whiplash injuries. A double blind randomized controlled study.
CONCLUSION: PEMT as described is safe for domiciliary use and this study suggests that PEMT has a beneficial effect in the management of the acute whiplash injury.
Foley-Nolan D, Moore K, Codd M, Barry C, O’Connor P, Coughlan RJ.
Scand J Rehabil Med. 1992;24(1):51-9.PMID: 1604262 Related citations
A randomized double-blind prospective study of the efficacy of pulsed electromagnetic fields for interbody lumbar fusions.
CONCLUSION: The effectiveness of bone graft stimulation with the device is thus established.
Mooney V.
Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 1990 Jul;15(7):708-12.PMID: 2218718 Related citations
A double-blind trial of pulsed electromagnetic fields for delayed union of tibial fractures.
CONCLUSION: It was concluded that pulsed electromagnetic fields significantly influence healing in tibial fractures with delayed union.
Sharrard WJ.
J Bone Joint Surg Br. 1990 May;72(3):347-55.PMID: 2187877 Related citations
Pulsed high frequency (27MHz) electromagnetic therapy for persistent neck pain. A double blind, placebo-controlled study of 20 patients.
CONCLUSION: PEMT, in the form described, can be used at home easily in the treatment of patients with neck pain. It is frequently successful and without side effects.
Foley-Nolan D, Barry C, Coughlan RJ, O’Connor P, Roden D.
Orthopedics. 1990 Apr;13(4):445-51.PMID: 2185460 Related citations
Electrical stimulation of human femoral intertrochanteric osteotomies. Double-blind study.
CONCLUSION: In this extremely homogeneous patient population, PEMF stimulation favored osteotomy healing.
Borsalino G, Bagnacani M, Bettati E, Fornaciari F, Rocchi R, Uluhogian S, Ceccherelli G, Cadossi R, Traina GC.
Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1988 Dec;(237):256-63.PMID: 3191636 Related citations
Pulsed magnetic field therapy for tibial non-union. Interim results of a double-blind trial.
CONCLUSION: The high proportion of fractures uniting in the control group suggests that conservative management of non-union is effective and this may explain much of the success attributed to pulsed magnetic field therapy.
Barker AT, Dixon RA, Sharrard WJ, Sutcliffe ML.
Lancet. 1984 May 5;1(8384):994-6.PMID: 6143970 Related citations
Pulsed electromagnetic field therapy of persistent rotator cuff tendinitis. A double-blind controlled assessment.
CONCLUSION: PEMF therapy may thus be useful in the treatment of severe and persistent rotator cuff and possibly other chronic tendon lesions.
Binder A, Parr G, Hazleman B, Fitton-Jackson S.
Lancet. 1984 Mar 31;1(8379):695-8.PMID: 6143039 Related citations
