Assessment of the Therapeutic Effectiveness of Deep Electromagnetic Stimulation in Patients with Chronic Low Back Pain.

BACKGROUND:
The study presents the results of the application of deep electromagnetic stimulation (DEMS) therapy in the treatment of low back pain. The study aimed to evaluate and compare pain severity before and after deep electromagnetic stimulation sessions and to assess persistence of the analgesic effect and identify factors which influenced it significantly.
MATERIAL AND METHODS:
The study enrolled a series of 105 consecutive patients with chronic low back pain who underwent a series of 10 sessions of deep electromagnetic stimulation. The effectiveness of the therapy was assessed according to VAS and Laitinen scores. Risk factors significantly affecting the stability of analgesic effect after DEMS therapy were identified using the Cox regression model.
RESULTS:
Statistically significant pain relief was observed after deep electromagnetic therapy. Both the Laitinen and VAS scales demonstrated the reduction in pain intensity by half (Me (IQR): 6 (5-9) before the therapy vs. 3 (24) afterwards, p<0.0001 for Laitinen scale and 7 (6-8) before vs. 3 (2-5) after the therapy, p<0.0001 for VAS). During 12-month follow up, pain recurred in 84 (80%) patients. Pain recurrence within a year after the therapy was stimulated in a statistically significant manner by pain duration (HR=1.032, 95% CI: 0.988-1.078; p=0.032) and the co-occurrence of degenerative joint disease (HR=5.521, 95%CI: 2.905-10.493; p=0.001).
CONCLUSIONS:
1. Deep electromagnetic stimulation is an effective treatment in patients with chronic low back pain. 2. The degree of effectiveness of this modality in the longer term depends on the cause and duration of pain.
PMID: 26751753