According to the latest reports, it seems that pulsed electromagnetic field therapy can treat osteoarthritis. Check out the following reports about the discovery below.
Pulsed electromagnetic field can treat osteoarthritis
With the United States’ population getting older, there is a looming threat of an increase in joint conditions that can cause severe pain.
Osteoarthritis, a condition caused by the natural breakdown of cartilage, is one such condition. However, recent research shows that a drug-free therapy utilizing magnetic fields could offer relief without the potential risks of common painkillers.
A recent systematic review, published in the Journal of Clinical Medicine, highlights the potential of pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) therapy. PEMF was introduced into clinical practice in the 1970s with a device approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to help speed up the healing of broken fractures and alleviate symptoms of osteoarthritis (OA).
For the review, researchers analyzed 17 randomized controlled trials involving 1,197 patients with OA who underwent PEMF therapy.
They evaluated the effectiveness of PEMF across different anatomical areas, focusing on levels of pain reduction and improvements in patients’ quality of life based on the collected data.
According to the study, PEMF therapy had a significant positive impact on pain reduction as measured by the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) scores. The VAS scores showed a decrease of 60 percent, while the WOMAC scores improved by 42 percent.
According to the review, the participants experienced reduced medication usage and improved physical function. However, the review also pointed out that there were differences in the duration of treatment and types of PEMF devices used, which requires further investigation and standardization.
Dr. Peter C. Lascarides, assistant professor of physical medicine and rehabilitation at the Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell Health, said PEMF therapy has gained popularity for its ability to alleviate pain and support healing across various conditions.
