Low-energy Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy Reduces Pain in Fibromyalgia: A Randomized Single-blind Controlled Pilot Study

Abstract

Objectives: Fibromyalgia symptoms have a significant impact on the quality of life and respond poorly to medications. It has been hypothesized that the use of low-energy pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) induces neuroprotective effects that may interfere with pain perception. We explored the efficacy of PEMF in patients affected by fibromyalgia.

Methods: Twenty-one females (median age 59 years, interquartile range [IQR] 16.5) affected by fibromyalgia were randomized to receive pulsed electromagnetic field-triple energy pain treatment (PEMF-TEPT) or placebo at T0 and at 4 weeks and 8 weeks. Fibromyalgia impact questionnaire (FIQ), widespread pain index (WPI), visual analog score (VAS) pain, symptom severity (SS) scale, and short form 36 (SF-36) health survey questionnaire have been evaluated.

Results: Patients in the PEMF-TEPT group had a significantly higher reduction of WPI compared to placebo (mean difference -12.90 ± standard deviation [SD] 5.32 vs. -1.91 ± 4.55, difference in difference [DD] of -10.99; P < 0.001), of SS score (-4.10 ± 4.85 vs. -2.00 ± 2.32; DD = -2.1; P < 0.05), of VAS pain (-48 ± 30.75 vs. -16.82 ± 23.69; DD = -31.18; P < 0.01). They also reported a higher improvement of FIQ and SF-36, albeit not reaching statistical significance.

Conclusion: In our pilot controlled study, PEMF-TEPT appeared to be safe and improved fibromyalgia symptoms.

Keywords: diffuse pain syndrome; fatigue; quality of life; widespread pain.

Figure 1

Selected target points for PEMF application in the present study, as described in the available literature.^[34] Briefly, points are located as follows: LI 4 (He Gu) at the height of the midpoint of the second metacarpal joint, at the peak formed by the first dorsal interosseous muscle where the thumb approaches the index finger; GB20 (Feng Chi) below the occipital bone, in the depression between the trapezius and sternocleidomastoid muscles; GB21 (JianJing) at the highest point of the shoulder halfway between the acromion and the spinous process of C7; HT7 (Shen Men) on the flexion fold of the wrist, between the pisiform bone and the ulna, in the depression medial to the tendon of the ulnar carpal flexor muscle; PC6 (Nei Guan) 2 cm above the wrist flexion fold, between the tendons of the radial flexor carpus and palmar long muscles. PEMF, pulsed electromagnetic field.

Figure 2

Study flow. For each timepoint treatment, scores assessed are specified. IQR, interquartile range; T, timepoint; VAS, visual analog scale; W, week.

Figure 3

WPI, SS score, VAS for pain, SF-36 score, and FIQ score changes in patients receiving the active treatment and placebo (dotted lines represents the expected changes in the active treatment group if no effect was observed). FIQ, fibromyalgia impact questionnaire; SS, symptom severity; VAS, visual analog score; WPI, widespread pain index.