Effects of Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy on Pain, Stiffness, Physical Function, and Quality of Life in Patients With Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trials.
Author: Yang X1, He H1, Ye W1, Perry TA2, He C3
Affiliation:
1Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Key Laboratory of Rehabilitation Medicine in Sichuan, Chengdu, People's Republic of China.
2Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, Botnar Research Centre, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.
3Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Key Laboratory of Rehabilitation Medicine in Sichuan, No.37 Guo Xue Xiang, Chengdu, 610041, People's Republic of China.
Conference/Journal: Phys Ther.
Date published: 2020 Apr 6
Other:
Pages: pzaa054 , Special Notes: doi: 10.1093/ptj/pzaa054. [Epub ahead of print] , Word Count: 263
OBJECTIVE: Pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) therapy is a potentially useful treatment for osteoarthritis (OA), but its effectiveness is still controversial. The study aimed to examine the effects of PEMF therapy and PEMF parameters on symptoms and quality of life (QOL) in patients with OA.
METHODS: Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, PubMed, CINAHL, EMBASE, PEDro, clinical trial registers and reference lists were searched until April 2019. The study examined randomized, placebo-controlled trials, patients with OA, symptom and/or QOL related outcomes, and articles published in English. Two authors extracted data and completed quality assessment.
RESULTS: Sixteen studies were included in our systematic review, while 15 studies with complete data were included in meta-analysis. Our primary outcome was the standardized mean difference (SMD), which was equal to the treatment effect in the PEMF group minus the treatment effect in the placebo group divided by the pooled standard deviation. For pain, the SMD was 1.06 (95% CI 0.61 to 1.51), for stiffness 0.37 (95% CI 0.07 to 0.67), for function 0.46 (95% CI 0.14 to 0.78) and for QOL 1.49 (95% CI -0.06 to 3.04). PEMF parameters did not influence symptoms.
CONCLUSIONS: Compared to placebo, there was a beneficial effect of PEMF therapy on pain, stiffness, and physical function in patients with OA. Duration of treatment may not be a critical factor in pain management. Further studies are required to confirm effects of PEMF therapy on QOL.
IMPACT STATEMENT: Our study suggests that PEMF therapy has clinically significant effects on pain in patients with OA. The current evidence was limited to the short-term effects of PEMF therapy.
© 2020 American Physical Therapy Association.
KEYWORDS: Osteoarthritis; Pulsed Electronmagnetic Field; Systematic Review
PMID: 32251502 DOI: 10.1093/ptj/pzaa054
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