The effect of pulsed electromagnetic frequency therapy on health-related quality of life in military service members with chronic low back pain

Abstract

Background: In the U.S. military, chronic low back pain is among the most frequent complaints for medical visits, lost work time, and attrition from active duty and the deployed setting by service members.

Purpose: The aim of this pilot study was to determine whether adjunctive treatment with pulsed electromagnetic frequency (PEMF) produced significant variability in chronic low back pain symptoms and secondary health-related quality of life, mental health and disability outcomes.

Methods: Prospective, randomized pilot study with repeated measures at baseline, post-treatment, and 1 month follow-up for two groups: usual care (UC) vs. UC + PEMF.

Findings: In a convenience sample of 75 service members, health-related quality of life mental and physical component scores were significant: F(2, 104) = 4.20, p = .018 (η² = .075) and F(2, 104) = 4.75, p = .011 (η² = .084), respectively; as was anxiety symptom severity: F(2, 104) = 5.28, p = .007 (η² = .092).

Discussion and recommendations: Adjunctive treatment with PEMF demonstrated improvements in service members' overall physical health-related quality of life with expected, yet statistically nonsignificant improvements in reported pain and LBP-related disability. There were significant between group differences in anxiety symptom severity with higher symptoms reported by the UC + PEMF group, surprising findings that warrant further investigation.

Keywords: Chronic low back pain; Military; PEMF; Pulsed electromagnetic frequency.