Author: Jie Tong1,2,3, Zhengyu Chen4, Guanghua Sun1,2,3, Jun Zhou1,2,3, Ye Zeng1,2,3, Peirui Zhong1,2,3, Chengyuan Deng5, Xiaocui Chen6, Liu Liu1,2,3, Shiyong Wang1,2,3, Jiaqian Chen1,2,3, Ying Liao1,2,3
Affiliation: <sup>1</sup> Rehabilitation Medicine Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, China.
<sup>2</sup> Department of Rehabilitation, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, China.
<sup>3</sup> Rehabilitation Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, China.
<sup>4</sup> Department of Spine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, China.
<sup>5</sup> Department of Anatomy, Hunan Traditional Chinese Medical College, Zhuzhou, Hunan 421001, China.
<sup>6</sup> Department of Rehabilitation, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214000, China.
Conference/Journal: Pain Res Manag
Date published: 2022 May 9
Other:
Volume ID: 2022 , Pages: 9939891 , Special Notes: doi: 10.1155/2022/9939891. , Word Count: 229
Background:
Although there are many pharmacological interventions for adults with osteoarthritis (OA) who do not meet the indications for surgery, side effects and adverse effects cannot be ignored. Physical interventions are known for their effectiveness and safety, and pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMFs) have already been applied to skeletal diseases such as osteoporosis.
Objective:
In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we aimed to assess the efficacy of PEMF on the major symptoms of patients with OA compared with efficacy of other interventions.
Methods:
Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating OA patients treated with PEMF and with pain, stiffness, and physical function impairment since 2009 were included. The Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and Western Ontario McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) scores were used for assessment. All extracted data were analyzed using RevMan V.5.3.
Results:
Eleven RCTs consisting of 614 patients were enrolled in this meta-analysis, of which 10 trials comprised knee OA and one comprised hand OA. Compared with the control groups, the PEMF treatment yielded a more favorable output. PEMF alleviated pain (standardized mean differences [SMD] = 0.71, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.08-1.34, p = 0.03), improved stiffness (SMD = 1.34, 95% CI: 0.45-2.23,p=0.003), and restored physical function (SMD = 1.52, 95% CI: 0.49-2.55,p=0.004).
Conclusions:
PEMF therapy ameliorates OA symptoms such as pain, stiffness, and physical function in patients compared to other conservative treatments. There is an urgent need to search for different types of OA in multiple locations.
PMID: 35586276 PMCID: PMC9110240 DOI: 10.1155/2022/9939891