Short-Term impacts of pulsed electromagnetic field therapy in middle-aged university's employees with non-specific low back pain: A pilot study.

Objective: Non-specific low back pain (non-specific LBP) is common problem between office-work employees. This study aimed to evaluate the short-term impacts of Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) therapy in the treatment of non-specific LBP symptoms as pain, back mobility, LBP disabilities, and Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQOL).

Methods: Forty-two University's employees with non-specific LBP and aged from 35 to 55 years who participated in this study from January to June 2018 were divided into two groups: group A; received PEMF therapy and group B; received sham treatment. The outcome measures were; numerical rating scale, Modified Oswestry LBP Disability Score, Modified Schober test, and the Short Form-36 questionnaire. Evaluations were performed for both groups before and after finishing treatment.

Results: All outcome measures were significantly improved statistically in the experimental group at the end of the intervention (p<0.05). On the other hand, there were non-significant differences in all outcome measures in the sham group (p>0.05).

Conclusions: PEMT therapy may decrease pain, LBP disability, increase lumbar spine mobility, and improve HRQOL in middle-aged university's employees with nonspecific LBP.

KEYWORDS: Health-Related Quality of Life; Non-specific Low Back Pain; Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy

PMID: 31372129 PMCID: PMC6659051 DOI: 10.12669/pjms.35.4.49