From the Guidelines
Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) therapy is not recommended for inflammation due to insufficient evidence and conflicting results. The use of PEMF in reducing inflammation is still a topic of debate, with some studies suggesting potential benefits and others showing no significant effects. According to a study published in The Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons 1, two level II studies examined the use of PEMF in patients diagnosed with rotator cuff–related symptoms, but the results were conflicting, with one study reporting no statistically significant differences in pain or Constant-Murley scores and the other finding a statistically significant difference in favor of PEMF.
Key Points to Consider
- The evidence for PEMF therapy in reducing inflammation is inconclusive, with only two level II studies available, and the results are conflicting 1.
- PEMF devices deliver low-frequency electromagnetic pulses to tissues, which may potentially decrease inflammatory markers and promote healing, but the field strengths and treatment durations vary widely.
- While some patients report pain relief and reduced swelling, particularly for conditions like arthritis, tendonitis, and post-surgical inflammation, results vary between individuals.
- PEMF is generally considered safe with minimal side effects, though it's contraindicated for pregnant women and people with certain electronic implants like pacemakers.
Clinical Implications
- In clinical practice, PEMF therapy should not be relied upon as a primary treatment for inflammation due to the lack of strong evidence supporting its effectiveness.
- Patients with inflammatory conditions should be advised to use conventional medical treatments as the primary approach, and PEMF therapy may be considered as a complementary therapy only if the patient has failed other treatments or has a specific condition that may benefit from PEMF, such as arthritis or tendonitis.
- Further research is needed to fully understand the potential benefits and limitations of PEMF therapy in reducing inflammation.
From the Research
Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) Therapy and Inflammation
- PEMF therapy has been studied for its potential to help with inflammation, with several studies suggesting that it can modulate inflammatory processes and reduce inflammation in various conditions, including chronic inflammation and arthritis 2, 3, 4.
- The studies suggest that PEMF therapy can promote chronic inflammation resolution by mediating gene expression changes important for inhibiting and resolving inflammation, including the regulation of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine secretion 2, 4.
- PEMF therapy has been shown to reduce inflammation in animal and human tissue, including in conditions such as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and cerebral ischemia 5, 6.
- The mechanisms by which PEMF therapy exerts its anti-inflammatory effects are not fully understood, but may involve the regulation of molecular and cellular mechanisms, including the modulation of voltage-gated calcium channels and the production of nitric oxide and reactive oxygen species 3.
Specific Conditions and PEMF Therapy
- In the case of BPH, PEMF therapy has been shown to reduce prostate volume and lower urinary tract symptoms, with benefits seen in patients with moderate-severe symptoms and without metabolic syndrome 5.
- In the case of cerebral ischemia, PEMF therapy has been shown to reduce infarct size and influence neuroinflammation, with potential implications for poststroke recovery 6.
- In general, the studies suggest that PEMF therapy may be a useful adjunctive treatment for reducing inflammation and promoting tissue regeneration in various conditions, although further research is needed to fully understand its effects and mechanisms of action 2, 3, 4.