J Korean Pain Soc.  2004 Dec;17(2):141-145. 10.3344/jkps.2004.17.2.141.

The Effectiveness of Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields Therapy for Treatment of Chronic Pain

• Eun JS
• Chae YJ
• Cho HW
• Kim JH
• Kim JS
• Kim C

• KMID: 2104843
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3344/jkps.2004.17.2.141

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMF) have been widely used to treat nonhealing fractures and related problems in bone healing since their approval by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1979. Some studies have suggested that electromagnetic fields might be useful in the treatment of chronic illnesses, such as lumbar radiculopathy, whiplash syndrome, posterior neck pain, persistent rotator cuff tendonitis, knee osteoarthritis and post-herpetic neuralgia, etc. Herein, the effectiveness of PEMF therapy for the treatment of chronic pain was assessed. METHODS: 40 patients, with chronic back pain, neck pain, post-herpetic neuralgia, complex regional pain syndrome, atypical facial pain, shoulder pain and myofascial pain syndrome were studied. Pulsed electromagnetic fields of 30 and 50 Hz were applied for 20 minutes, 5 times a week. The outcomes were measured using the visual analogue (VAS, 0 10) and patient satisfaction scales (good, fair, poor). Data were analyzed using repeated ANOVA measurements for a changes in the VAS (initial VAS final VAS) and by the paired t-test for changes from the baseline VAS to follow-up VAS values. RESULTS: Compared to the mean baseline VAS value before the PEMF therapy (4.8+/-1.6), that after (2.7+/-1.5) showed a significant change (P < 0.01). The patient satisfaction scales of good and fair were 65.0 and 35.0%, respectively. There were no significant side-effects. CONCLUSIONS: The decrease in the VAS score suggests that PEMF therapy has potential as an effective method of improving the symptoms of chronic pain.

Keyword

chronic pain; pulsed electromagnetic fields

MeSH Terms

Back Pain
Chronic Disease
Chronic Pain*
Electromagnetic Fields*
Facial Pain
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Magnets*
Myofascial Pain Syndromes
Neck Pain
Neuralgia
Osteoarthritis, Knee
Patient Satisfaction
Radiculopathy
Rotator Cuff
Shoulder Pain
Tendinopathy
Tendons
United States Food and Drug Administration
Weights and Measures