Pulsed electromagnetic field therapy in the treatment of pain and other symptoms in fibromyalgia: A randomized controlled study

Low‐energy pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) therapy has been suggested as a promising therapy to increase microcirculation, which is of great concern in patients with fibromyalgia. This study evaluated the effectiveness of PEMF therapy on the treatment of fibromyalgia. A group of 108 women with f...

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Published in:Bioelectromagnetics Vol. 39; no. 5; pp. 405 - 413
Main Authors: Multanen, Juhani, Häkkinen, Arja, Heikkinen, Pauli, Kautiainen, Hannu, Mustalampi, Sirpa, Ylinen, Jari
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: United States Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01.07.2018
Subjects:
Adult
chronic pain
Cross-Over Studies
Double-Blind Method
Electromagnetic fields
Electromagnetism
Energy
Female
Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia - physiopathology
Fibromyalgia - therapy
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Magnetic Field Therapy - methods
magnetotherapy
microcirculation
Middle Aged
Pain
Pain - physiopathology
Pain Management - methods
Pain Measurement
Patient Dropouts
Patients
pulsed electromagnetic field
sham treatment
Statistical analysis
Stiffness
Surveys and Questionnaires
Therapy
Treatment Outcome
Young Adult
pulsed electromagnetic field
chronic pain
sham treatment
magnetotherapy
fibromyalgia
microcirculation
ISSN:0197-8462, 1521-186X, 1521-186X
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Summary:Low‐energy pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) therapy has been suggested as a promising therapy to increase microcirculation, which is of great concern in patients with fibromyalgia. This study evaluated the effectiveness of PEMF therapy on the treatment of fibromyalgia. A group of 108 women with fibromyalgia were allocated to a 12‐week treatment period with an active Bio‐Electro‐Magnetic‐Energy‐Regulation (BEMER) device and a similar treatment period with an inactive device. Each patient received active and sham treatments in a random order. Pain and stiffness were assessed on a visual analog scale (VAS, scale 0–100 mm), and functional status was assessed by the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ). Mean VAS pain scores before the active and sham treatment periods were 66 (SD 22) and 63 (SD 22), respectively. After treatment periods, mean VAS pain scores had decreased significantly in active treatment, −12, 95% CI [−18, −6], and in sham treatment, −11, 95% CI [−17, −5]. Similarly, the decrease in stiffness and FIQ index after both treatments was statistically significant. However, per‐protocol analysis showed no differences between active and sham treatments at any of the outcomes. This study demonstrated that low‐energy PEMF therapy was not efficient in reducing pain and stiffness or in improving functioning in women with fibromyalgia. Bioelectromagnetics. 39:405–413, 2018. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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ISSN:0197-8462
1521-186X
1521-186X
DOI:10.1002/bem.22127