PEMF: A Collection of The Research Data

WHAT IS PEMF?

Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy (PEMF) is a noncontact, noninvasive, non-pharmacological modality that is used to promote optimal cellular function so that your body can heal and repair optimally.

PEMF Therapy at Resonant Frequency Medicine goes a step further: we program specific frequency pairs into the magnetic field which can elicit certain effects on tissues and structures in the body (for example, we program the pulses per seconds for a reduction of inflammation / in the nerve, resulting in a tangible and almost immediate decrease in pain).

Despite the massive data available on this page, here is the mandatory disclaimer: PEMF and associated therapies do not claim to diagnose, treat or cure any disease.

When Dr. Jessie first started to dive into the published literature on Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy (PEMF), she was shocked to learn of its long history and the sheer volume of data that has, in fact, been published. Why doesn't every single doctor know about this therapy? Why was this not covered in my medical school training? From the historic facilitation of bone healing (which has been studied since the 1800s) to depression, disc pain, and even water sanitization, there is an absolute trove of research to explore.

This is an attempt to offer some brief glimpses into just a fraction of the available data on PEMF and is meant to be a springboard for your further and deeper study. Below, you will find a references list organized by date of publication that includes notable findings from the study abstracts or results section.

Use the Search / Find feature and see if there is an article that addresses a condition you are curious about or simply start browsing through the list below. This catalogue of PEMF Research is far from inclusive, as this is an emerging area of study that is exploding now, so please excuse any omissions. Dr. Jessie will add to this list as she is able to. Looking for Frequency Specific Microcurrent Research Data? Click here instead.

PEMF : THE RESEARCH DATA (BY YEAR) & ABSTRACT / RESULTS

PEMF RESEARCH DATA FROM 2024

Pakhan AA, Jawade S, Boob MA, Somaiya KJ. Impact of Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy and Aerobic Exercise on Patients Suffering With Hypertension: A Systematic Review. Cureus. 2024;16(3):e56414. Published 2024 Mar 18. doi:10.7759/cureus.56414

ABSTRACT: "Results indicate that PEMF therapy can be a nonpharmacological method to manage BP in clinical populations. More thorough research is necessary to understand the best dosage, long-term effects, and comparison between PEMF therapy and aerobic exercise."

Factor S, Druckmann I, Kazum E, et al. A novel pulsed electromagnetic field device as an adjunct therapy to surgical treatment of distal radius fractures: a prospective, double-blind, sham-controlled, randomized pilot study. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg. 2024;144(1):543-550. doi:10.1007/s00402-023-05117-0

RESULTS: "PEMF application after ORIF of DRFs is safe, may accelerate bone healing which could lead to an earlier return to daily life activities and work."

Ferragina F, Caruso D, Barca I, Kallaverja E, Arrotta A, Cristofaro MG. Efficacy of Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy for Pain Management After Impacted Mandibular Third Molar Surgery. A Randomized Clinical Trial. J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2024;82(6):692-698. doi:10.1016/j.joms.2024.02.011

RESULTS: "The study's results attest to the effectiveness of PEMF therapy in pain control after M3 surgery."

Sprunks TE, McLeod KJ, Staelin R. Pulsed shortwave electromagnetic field therapy increases quality of life in canines with symptoms of osteoarthritis. Vet Med Sci. 2024;10(3):e1408. doi:10.1002/vms3.1408

CONCLUSION: "PSWT applied at the level of the cervico-thoracic spine to target the vagus nerve may have the potential to improve QOL in dogs manifesting behaviours commonly associated with OA." [Jessie's note: I am including animal studies both because they are often models for humans and also because I also offer customized PEMF therapy for your four-legged beloveds through Resonant Pet]

Mayer Y, Shibli JA, Saada HA, et al. Pulsed Electromagnetic Therapy: Literature Review and Current Update. Braz Dent J. 2024;35:e246109. Published 2024 Oct 25. doi:10.1590/0103-6440202406109

ABSTRACT: "This manuscript provides a comprehensive review of Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields (PEMFs), highlighting their therapeutic potential and historical evolution. PEMFs, recognized for their non-invasive and safe therapeutic benefits, interact with biological systems to influence processes such as DNA synthesis, gene expression, and cell migration. Clinically, PEMFs are applied in diverse treatments, including pain relief, inflammation management, and enhancing bone and wound healing."

Liu J, Zhou J, Huang X, et al. Protective effects of pulsed electromagnetic field therapy attenuates autophagy and apoptosis in osteoporotic osteoarthritis model rats by activating PPARγ. Electromagn Biol Med. 2024;43(1-2):61-70. doi:10.1080/15368378.2024.2314108

RESULTS: "The potential mechanism may be related to upregulation of PPARγ, inhibition of chondrocyte apoptosis and inflammation, and improvement of autophagy disorder. PEMF therapy thus shows promising application prospects in the treatment of postmenopausal osteoarthritis."

Ghanbari Ghoshchi S, Petroni ML, Piras A, Marcora SM, Raffi M. Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) stimulation as an adjunct to exercise: a brief review. Front Sports Act Living. 2024;6:1471087. Published 2024 Sep 9. doi:10.3389/fspor.2024.1471087

ABSTRACT: "Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) therapy is a non-invasive treatment that utilizes electromagnetic fields to stimulate and promote natural healing processes within the body. PEMF therapy works by emitting low-frequency electromagnetic pulses, which penetrate deep into tissues and cells, enhancing cellular function and health. PEMF applications are vast, ranging from enhancing recovery in athletes to supporting overall well-being in everyday individuals ..."

Pantelis P, Theocharous G, Veroutis D, et al. Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields (PEMFs) Trigger Cell Death and Senescence in Cancer Cells. Int J Mol Sci. 2024;25(5):2473. Published 2024 Feb 20. doi:10.3390/ijms25052473

ABSTRACT: "PEMFs had a frequency of 8 Hz, full-square wave type and magnetic flux density of 0.011 T and were applied twice daily for 5 days. The data collected showcase that PEMF application decreases the proliferation rate and viability of breast cancer cells while having the opposite effect on normal fibroblasts. Moreover, PEMF irradiation induces cell death and cellular senescence only in breast cancer cells without any effect in the non-cancerous cells. These findings suggest PEMF irradiation as a novel, non-invasive anti-cancer strategy that, when combined with senolytic drugs, may eliminate both cancer and the remaining senescent cells, while simultaneously avoiding the side effects of the current treatments."

Cianni L, Di Gialleonardo E, Coppola D, et al. Current Evidence Using Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields in Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review. J Clin Med. 2024;13(7):1959. Published 2024 Mar 28. doi:10.3390/jcm13071959

CONCLUSION: "Diverse PEMF applications revealed promising results, emphasizing pain reduction and improvement in the quality of life of patients. The variability in the treatment duration and device types calls for further investigation. This review informs future research directions and potential advancements in optimizing PEMF therapies for diverse osteoarthritic manifestations."

Chia CSM, Fu SC, He X, et al. The clinical effects of pulsed electromagnetic field therapy for the management of chronic ankle instability: a study protocol for a double-blind randomized controlled trial. Trials. 2024;25(1):808. Published 2024 Dec 3. doi:10.1186/s13063-024-08639-z

ABSTRACT: "This trial may demonstrate this non-invasive biophysical therapy to be an effective measure to help patients with CAI."

Wang QW, Ong MT, Man GC, et al. The effects of pulsed electromagnetic field therapy on muscle strength and pain in patients with end-stage knee osteoarthritis: a randomized controlled trial. Front Med (Lausanne). 2024;11:1435277. Published 2024 Oct 16. doi:10.3389/fmed.2024.1435277

CONCLUSION: "The combination of PEMF therapy and home-based exercise superiorly improved knee muscle strength and reduced pain in end-stage knee OA subjects and showed a promising tendency to improve performance-based physical function. PEMF therapy was shown to preferentially benefit knee muscle strength in female patients and patients aged over 70 years, whereas male patients were more responsive to PEMF therapy in the form of pain relief."

Lama SBC, Pérez-González LA, Kosoglu MA, Dennis R, Ortega-Quijano D. Physical Treatments and Therapies for Androgenetic Alopecia. J Clin Med. 2024;13(15):4534. Published 2024 Aug 2. doi:10.3390/jcm13154534

ABSTRACT: "The majority of evidence in the literature supports LLLT as a physical therapy for androgenetic alopecia. However, other physical treatments, such as nonablative laser treatments, and multimodal approaches, such as PEMF-LLLT, seem to have the potential to be equally or more promising and merit further exploration."

Rajalekshmi R, Agrawal DK. Energizing Healing with Electromagnetic Field Therapy in Musculoskeletal Disorders. J Orthop Sports Med. 2024;6(2):89-106. doi:10.26502/josm.511500147

ABSTRACT: "Overall, the available findings on the underlying cellular and molecular biology support the use of EMF therapy as a viable option for the management of musculoskeletal disorders and stresses the need for continued research in this area."

Wang A, Ma X, Bian J, et al. Signalling pathways underlying pulsed electromagnetic fields in bone repair. Front Bioeng Biotechnol. 2024;12:1333566. Published 2024 Jan 24. doi:10.3389/fbioe.2024.1333566

"This review seeks to provide a sufficient theoretical basis for the application of PEMFs in bone repair."

Ma Y, He F, Chen X, et al. Low-frequency pulsed electromagnetic fields alleviate the condylar cartilage degeneration and synovitis at the early stage of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) osteoarthritis. J Oral Rehabil. 2024;51(4):666-676. doi:10.1111/joor.13636

CONCLUSIONS: "Appropriate PEMF stimulation can reverse the loss of cartilage extracellular matrix, the chondrocytes death, the increased expression of pro-inflammatory and degradative factors in cartilage, the decreased cartilage thickness and synovium inflammation induced by UAC at the early stage of TMJOA to some extent. PEMF stimulation may be a promising method in clinical TMJOA treatment."

Woo SH, Jung BC, Kim JY, Lee YH, Kim YS. Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Enhances Caffeic Acid Phenethyl Ester-induced Death of MCF-7 Breast Cancer Cells. Anticancer Res. 2024;44(6):2407-2415. doi:10.21873/anticanres.17047

CONCLUSION: "PEMF stimulation enhanced CAPE-induced cell death by activating p53, which regulates the expression of apoptosis-related molecules, subsequently activating the caspase-dependent apoptotic pathway in MCF-7 cells, suggesting that PEMF can be utilized as an adjuvant to enhance the effect of CAPE on breast cancer cells."

Abed Elrashid NA, Ali OI, Ibrahim ZM, El Sharkawy MA, Bin Sheeha B, Amin WM. A Double-Blinded Randomized Controlled Trial: Can Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy Be a Novel Method for Treating Chronic Rhinosinusitis?. Medicina (Kaunas). 2024;60(11):1868. Published 2024 Nov 14. doi:10.3390/medicina60111868

CONCLUSION: "PEMF therapy effectively reduces fatigue, headaches, and sinus opacifications in CRS patients, suggesting its potential for inclusion in CRS management guidelines to improve patient outcomes and quality of life. The results of this study indicate that PEMF represents a noninvasive and cost-effective approach for treating adults with mild-to-moderate Chronic Rhinosinusitis (CRS)."

Jin K, Zhao D, Zhou J, Zhang X, Wang Y, Wu Z. Pulsed electromagnetic fields inhibit IL-37 to alleviate CD8+ T cell dysfunction and suppress cervical cancer progression. Apoptosis. 2024;29(11-12):2108-2127. doi:10.1007/s10495-024-02006-8

ABSTRACT: "Pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) therapy is a potential non-invasive treatment to modulate immune responses and inhibit tumor growth. Cervical cancer (CC) is influenced by IL-37-mediated immune regulation, making PEMF therapy a potential strategy to impede CC progression. This study aimed to elucidate the effects of PEMF on IL-37 regulation and its molecular mechanisms in CC ... Thus, PEMF therapy inhibits CC progression by downregulating IL-37 and improving CD8+ T cell function via the SMAD3/p38/NF-κB signaling pathway."

Murat C, Kaya A, Kaya D, Erdoğan MA. Experimental study for in vitro prostate cancer treatment with microwave ablation and pulsed electromagnetic field. Electromagn Biol Med. 2024;43(3):135-144. doi:10.1080/15368378.2024.2345606

Friscia M, Abbate V, De Fazio GR, et al. Pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMF) as a valid tool in orthognathic surgery to reduce post-operative pain and swelling: a prospective study. Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2024;28(3):1287-1294. doi:10.1007/s10006-024-01256-9

Nappi RE, Martella S, Tiranini L, Cucinella L, Palacios S. Efficacy and safety of a device that combines multipolar radiofrequency with pulsed electromagnetic field for the treatment of vulvovaginal atrophy: a randomized, sham-controlled trial. J Sex Med. 2024;21(3):203-210. doi:10.1093/jsxmed/qdad166

CONCLUSION: "Nonablative, noncoagulative multipolar RF/PEMF therapy was safe, improved symptoms associated with VVA, and improved female sexual function while yielding high subject satisfaction."

Kouzaki K, Nakazato K. Pulsed electromagnetic fields attenuate human musculocutaneous nerve damage induced by biceps eccentric contractions. Bioelectromagnetics. Published online September 24, 2024. doi:10.1002/bem.22525

ABSTRACT: "The Magnetic Stimulation (MS) group, on the other hand, displayed an earlier recovery trend in isometric torque, range of motion, and muscle soreness. Notably, muscle soreness significantly decreased immediately after MS treatment compared to pretreatment levels. These findings suggest that MS treatment can effectively attenuate nerve damage induced by ECCs exercise."

Chianese D, Bonora M, Sambataro M, et al. Exploring Mitochondrial Interactions with Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields: An Insightful Inquiry into Strategies for Addressing Neuroinflammation and Oxidative Stress in Diabetic Neuropathy. Int J Mol Sci. 2024;25(14):7783. Published 2024 Jul 16. doi:10.3390/ijms25147783

ABSTRACT: "Through assessments of cellular proliferation, hemocompatibility, mutagenicity, and mitochondrial membrane potential, we have established the safety profile of the system. Furthermore, the analysis of microRNAs (miRNAs) suggests that complex magnetic fields (CMFs) may exert beneficial effects on cell cycle regulation, as evidenced by the upregulation of the miRNAs within the 121, 127, and 142 families, which are known to be associated with mitochondrial function and cell cycle control. This exploration holds promise for potential applications in mitigating neuropathic complications in diabetic foot conditions."

Öztürk GY, Yetişir A, Kocyigit BF. The positive effect of pulse electromagnetic field therapy on pain and disability in chronic low back pain: a comparative study. Rheumatol Int. 2024;44(8):1535-1541. doi:10.1007/s00296-024-05645-x

CONCLUSION: "PEMFT seems to be able to alleviate pain intensity and ameliorate disability in patients with chronic low back pain. PEMFT can be considered an effective and safe option that can be added to routine physical therapy modalities for relieving chronic low back pain frequently encountered in clinical practice. Further studies validating the effectiveness of PEMFT could strengthen its position in the management of chronic low back pain."

Yabroudi MA, Aldardour A, Nawasreh ZH, Obaidat SM, Altubasi IM, Bashaireh K. Effects of the combination of pulsed electromagnetic field with progressive resistance exercise on knee osteoarthritis: A randomized controlled trial. J Back Musculoskelet Rehabil. 2024;37(1):55-65. doi:10.3233/BMR-220261

Yang C, Xu L, Liao F, et al. Pulsed electromagnetic fields regulate metabolic reprogramming and mitochondrial fission in endothelial cells for angiogenesis. Sci Rep. 2024;14(1):19027. Published 2024 Aug 16. doi:10.1038/s41598-024-69862-x

ABSTRACT: "Mitochondrial imaging revealed a wire-like mitochondrial morphology in the control group, and treatment with PEMFs led to shorter and more granular mitochondria. Our major findings indicate that exposure to PEMFs accelerates angiogenesis in HUVECs, likely by inducing energy metabolism reprogramming and mitochondrial fission."

Maulana H, Yueniwati Y, Permatasari N, Suyono H. Role of Pulsed Electromagnetic Field on Alveolar Bone Remodeling during Orthodontic Retention Phase in Rat Models. Dent J (Basel). 2024;12(9):287. Published 2024 Sep 9. doi:10.3390/dj12090287

ABSTRACT: "This study showed that PEMF exposure promotes alveolar bone remodeling during the orthodontic retention phase on the tension side by increasing alveolar bone formation and inhibiting resorption."

Ibrahim A, Gupton M, Schroeder F. Regenerative Medicine in Orthopedic Surgery: Expanding Our Toolbox. Cureus. 2024;16(9):e68487. Published 2024 Sep 2. doi:10.7759/cureus.68487

Xu RD, Li JH, Zhang H, et al. The combined application of pulsed electromagnetic fields and platelet-rich plasma in the treatment of early-stage knee osteoarthritis: A randomized clinical trial. Medicine (Baltimore). 2024;103(35):e39369. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000039369

CONCLUSION: "RP, PEMFs, and the combination of PRP and PEMFs therapy all effectively alleviate knee joint pain and improve joint function. However, compared to single treatment modalities, the combined therapy of PRP and PEMFs demonstrates more pronounced efficacy."

Zhou J, Jia F, Qu M, et al. The prevention effect of pulsed electromagnetic fields treatment on senile osteoporosis in vivo via improving the inflammatory bone microenvironment. Electromagn Biol Med. 2024;43(1-2):46-60. doi:10.1080/15368378.2024.2314093

ABSTRACT: "The study demonstrated that PEMF could mitigate the aging-induced bone loss and reverses the deterioration of bone microarchitecture probably through inhibiting NLRP3-mediated low-grade chronic inflammation to improve the inflammatory bone microenvironment in aged rats."

Zwolińska J, Kasprzak M, Kielar A, Prokop M. Positive and Negative Effects of Administering a Magnetic Field to Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). J Clin Med. 2024;13(6):1619. Published 2024 Mar 12. doi:10.3390/jcm13061619

CONCLUSIONS: "Magnetic fields improved the functional status and reduced pain, morning stiffness and swelling in the hand. A static magnetic field may be more effective in reducing morning stiffness, whereas a pulsed magnetic field may, to a greater extent, improve function and reduce swelling in the rheumatoid hand."

Luo M, Zeng X, Jiang L, et al. Effect of electrical stimulation on the fusion rate after spinal surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Neurosurg Rev. 2024;47(1):618. Published 2024 Sep 16. doi:10.1007/s10143-024-02874-3

ABSTRACT: "[The fusion rate]in the pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) group was 2.60 times greater than that in the control group (OR 2.60 [95% CI 1.29-5.27])."

Tai YK, Iversen JN, Chan KKW, et al. Secretome from Magnetically Stimulated Muscle Exhibits Anticancer Potency: Novel Preconditioning Methodology Highlighting HTRA1 Action. Cells. 2024;13(5):460. Published 2024 Mar 5. doi:10.3390/cells13050460

ABSTRACT: "Briefly (10 min) exposing C2C12 myotubes to low amplitude (1.5 mT) pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMFs) generated a conditioned media (pCM) that was capable of mitigating breast cancer cell growth, migration, and invasiveness in vitro, whereas the conditioned media harvested from unexposed myotubes, representing constitutively released secretome (cCM), was less effective ... Brief and non-invasive PEMF stimulation may represent a method to commandeer the secretome response of muscle, both in vitro and in vivo, for clinical exploitation in breast and other cancers."

Wilms P, Schröder J, Scheit L, Reer R. The effect of electromagnetic fields on tendinopathies: Study on the effect analysis of a singular application of high-energy pulsed electromagnetic fields. Orthopadie (Heidelb). 2024;53(9):668-676. doi:10.1007/s00132-024-04541-3

ABSTRACT: "A single bout of high energy PEMF led to an immediate pain relief in tendinopathy patients lasting at least for one week, but the hypothesized underlying HSP70 associated inflammatory pathway could not be confirmed."

Vinhas A, Rodrigues MT, Gonçalves AI, Gomes ME. Immunomodulatory Behavior of Tendon Magnetic Cell Sheets can be Modulated in Hypoxic Environments under Magnetic Stimulus. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces. 2024;16(34):44440-44450. doi:10.1021/acsami.4c08154

ABSTRACT: "Encouragingly, when PEMF was applied to IL-1β-primed-magCSs under hypoxic conditions, it successfully modulated inflammatory cues by favoring IL-10 and IL-4, via the NF-κB pathway. These results signify the remarkable potential of PEMF in driving proregenerative strategies and opens up new approaches in tendon therapies, highlighting the transformative impact of immunomodulatory magnetic cell sheets."

Please note that this is not an inclusive list of all research; check PubMed for more 2024 papers.

PEMF RESEARCH STUDIES FROM 2023

Kull P, Keilani M, Remer F, Crevenna R. Efficacy of pulsed electromagnetic field therapy on pain and physical function in patients with non-specific low back pain: a systematic review. Published online November 24, 2023. doi:10.1007/s10354-023-01025-5

RESULTS: "PEMF therapy seems to be a safe and beneficial treatment option for non-specific low back pain, particularly if used as an addition to conventional physical therapy modalities. Future research should focus on standardized settings including assessment methods, treatment regimens, frequencies, and intensities."

Flatscher J, Pavez Loriè E, Mittermayr R, et al. Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields (PEMF)-Physiological Response and Its Potential in Trauma Treatment. Int J Mol Sci. 2023;24(14):11239. Published 2023 Jul 8. doi:10.3390/ijms241411239

ABSTRACT: "Many studies over several decades have furthered our understanding of the effects that Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields (PEMF) have on the human body, as well as on cellular and biophysical systems. These investigations have been driven by the observed positive clinical effects of this non-invasive treatment on patients, mainly in orthopedics ... In this review, we give a birds-eye view of the vast landscape of studies that have been published on PEMF, presenting the reader with a scaffolded summary of relevant literature starting from categorical literature reviews down to individual studies for future research studies and clinical use. We also highlight discrepancies within the many diverse study setups to find common reporting parameters that can lead to a better universal understanding of PEMF effects."

Elboim-Gabyzon M, Nahhas F. Laser therapy versus pulsed electromagnetic field therapy as treatment modalities for early knee osteoarthritis: a randomized controlled trial. BMC Geriatr. 2023;23(1):144. Published 2023 Mar 16. doi:10.1186/s12877-022-03568-5

RESULTS: "Six sessions of PEMFT and LLLT had immediate positive effects on pain and physical function in individuals with low-grade KOA, with PEMFT resulting in significantly better results."

Dias AR, Bitsaktsis C, Emdin D, Bosman L, Smith AH, Merhi Z. Ozone sauna therapy and pulsed electromagnetic field therapy could potentially improve outcome in women with diminished ovarian reserve undergoing assisted reproductive technology. Med Gas Res. 2023;13(4):202-207. doi:10.4103/2045-9912.350862

ABSTRACT: "Data from existing animal and human studies suggest that ozone sauna therapy (OST) and pulsed electromagnetic field therapy (PEMF) are emerging as potential therapeutic adjuncts for female reproduction ... the number of embryos formed after OST + PEMF in Cycle 2 was significantly higher than the Cycle 1. Furthermore, EMT measured in Cycle 2 demonstrated a significant increase compared to Cycle 1 and all patients reached a satisfactory EMT of approximately 7 mm ..."

Zhang W, Luo Y, Xu J, et al. The Possible Role of Electrical Stimulation in Osteoporosis: A Narrative Review. Medicina (Kaunas). 2023;59(1):121. Published 2023 Jan 8. doi:10.3390/medicina59010121

CONCLUSION: "In the future, electrical stimulation might become a new treatment for osteoporosis."

Li S, Yu H, Long S, et al. Research Advances in the Treatment of Bone Marrow Edema Syndrome. J Clin Densitom. 2023;26(2):101367. doi:10.1016/j.jocd.2023.03.006

"This paper reviews the literature and summarizes the treatment options for bone marrow edema syndrome, such as symptomatic treatment, extracorporeal shock waves therapy (ESWT), pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEFs), hyperbaric oxygen (HBO), vitamin D, iloprost, bisphosphonates, denosumab, and surgery, etc. This informs clinicians in treating bone marrow edema syndrome, hopefully improving patients' quality of life and shortening the duration of their disease."

Zhang T, Zhao Z, Wang T. Pulsed electromagnetic fields as a promising therapy for glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis. Front Bioeng Biotechnol. 2023;11:1103515. Published 2023 Mar 3. doi:10.3389/fbioe.2023.1103515

ABSTRACT: "This review attempts to summarize the underlying cellular mechanisms of GIOP. Furthermore, recent advances showing that PEMFs affect bone cells are discussed. Finally, we discuss the possibility of using PEMFs as therapy for GIOP."

Mayer Y, Khoury J, Horwitz J, et al. A novel nonsurgical therapy for peri-implantitis using focused pulsed electromagnetic field: A pilot randomized double-blind controlled clinical trial. Bioelectromagnetics. 2023;44(7-8):144-155. doi:10.1002/bem.22481

CONCLUSION: "Within all the limitation of this preliminary study, the test group improved clinical parameters after a short-term period compared to the control group."

Ko VM, He X, Fu SC, Yung PS, Ling SK. Clinical effectiveness of pulsed electromagnetic field therapy as an adjunct treatment to eccentric exercise for Achilles tendinopathy: a randomised controlled trial. Trials. 2023;24(1):394. Published 2023 Jun 12. doi:10.1186/s13063-023-07434-6

RESULTS: "This trial may demonstrate the effectiveness of PEMF in relieving pain, improving function, and restoring mechanical changes of the tendon in participants with AT."

Choi MS, Park BC. The efficacy and safety of the combination of photobiomodulation therapy and pulsed electromagnetic field therapy on androgenetic alopecia. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2023;22(3):831-836. doi:10.1111/jocd.15490

ABSTRACT: "After 24 weeks of treatment ... The difference between two groups was statistically significant (p < 0.05). Based on the global assessment of independent experts, the score was 0.41 (±0.62) in the treatment group and 0.07 (±0.45) in the control group. Only very mild erythema or irritation was reported, and no serious adverse reactions were reported."

Shahien M, Elaraby A, Gamal M, et al. Physical therapy interventions for the management of hand tremors in patients with Parkinson's disease: a systematic review. Neurol Sci. 2023;44(2):461-470. doi:10.1007/s10072-022-06420-1

Weinstein MA, Beaumont A, Campbell P, et al. Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Stimulation in Lumbar Spine Fusion for Patients With Risk Factors for Pseudarthrosis. Int J Spine Surg. 2023;17(6):816-823. Published 2023 Dec 26. doi:10.14444/8549

CONCLUSION: "The addition of PEMF as an adjunct treatment in patients undergoing lumbar spinal surgery provided a high rate of successful fusion with significant improvements in pain, function, and quality of life, despite having risk factors for pseudarthrosis."

Factor S, Druckmann I, Atlan F, et al. The Effects of Novel Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy Device on Acute Distal Radius Fractures: A Prospective, Double-Blind, Sham-Controlled, Randomized Pilot Study. J Clin Med. 2023;12(5):1866. Published 2023 Feb 27. doi:10.3390/jcm12051866

CONCULSION: "Early addition of PEMF treatment may accelerate bone healing which could lead to a shorter cast immobilization, thus allowing an earlier return to daily life activities and work. There were no complications related to the PEMF device."

Popović T, Matavulj M, Nežić L, Radulović TN, Škrbić R. Pulsed electromagnetic field attenuates bone fragility in estrogen-deficient osteoporosis in rats. Technol Health Care. 2023;31(4):1343-1353. doi:10.3233/THC-220642

RESULTS: [Jessie's note: notice that frequencies appear to be specific, hence the importance of the correct frequencies used for the correct implications] "The application of PEMF40Hz, significantly reduced the osteoporotic bone loss in female rats that were confirmed with biochemical, biomechanical, and histological analyses. These effects were more pronounced than in osteoporotic animals treated with pamidronate, vitamin D, and calcium supplementation. On the contrary, the exposure to PEMF25Hz did not show restorative effects but led to further progression of osteoporosis."

Kaye KO, Paprottka F, Moellhoff N, Fertsch S, Frank K, Casabona G. Radiofrequency and pulsed electromagnetic field application following liposuction-Clinical evaluation of performance and safety. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2023;22(12):3298-3304. doi:10.1111/jocd.15937

RESULTS: "This study revealed that the subjective satisfaction with the results of the application of RF and PEMF after liposuction is high, while at the same time the esthetic appearance as rated by independent raters improved on the treated side."

Kandemir O, Adar S, Dündar Ü, et al. Effectiveness of Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy in Patients With Subacromial Impingement Syndrome: A Double-Blind Randomized Sham Controlled Study. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2024;105(2):199-207. doi:10.1016/j.apmr.2023.09.020

RESULTS: "In our study, PEMF was found to be superior to sham PEMF in terms of pain, ROM, functionality, and quality of life at the first and third months."

Gökçek-Saraç Ç, Şimşek T, Karakurt S. Cytoprotective effects of low-frequency pulsed electromagnetic field against oxidative stress in glioblastoma cells. Gen Physiol Biophys. 2023;42(1):97-106. doi:10.4149/gpb_2022056

ABSTRACT: "The cytoprotective effect of PEMF against deleterious effects of oxidative stress triggered by different time interval of H2O2 treatment might be mediated by the increase in the cell viability, the elevation in the antioxidant enzyme activity/amount, and the decrease in the reactive oxygen species level. In addition, the cytoprotective effect of PEMF varies depending on different time intervals of H2O2 treatment. In the light of these findings, further in vivo and/or in vitro studies on neurophysiological effects of PEMFs and their underlying molecular mechanisms are needed to elucidate neurotoxic or neuroprotective role against antioxidant defense mechanisms."

Tassone EE, Page JC, Slepian MJ. Assessing the Effects of Pulsed Electromagnetic Therapy on Painful Diabetic Distal Symmetric Peripheral Neuropathy: A Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial. J Diabetes Sci Technol. Published online August 4, 2023. doi:10.1177/19322968231190413

CONCLUSION: "Pulsed electromagnetic field therapy appears effective as a nonpharmacological means for reduction of pain associated with diabetic peripheral neuropathy and holds promise for improvement of vascular physiology in microcirculatory dysfunction associated with diabetic peripheral arterial disease."

Maiullari S, Cicirelli A, Picerno A, et al. Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields Induce Skeletal Muscle Cell Repair by Sustaining the Expression of Proteins Involved in the Response to Cellular Damage and Oxidative Stress. Int J Mol Sci. 2023;24(23):16631. Published 2023 Nov 23. doi:10.3390/ijms242316631

ABSTRACT: "Altogether, these data support the possibility of using PEMF to increase SkMC regeneration and, for the first time, suggest a possible molecular mechanism, which consists of sustaining the expression of antioxidant enzymes to control the important inflammatory and oxidative process occurring following muscle damage."

Linnemann C, Sahin F, Chen Y, et al. NET Formation Was Reduced via Exposure to Extremely Low-Frequency Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields. Int J Mol Sci. 2023;24(19):14629. Published 2023 Sep 27. doi:10.3390/ijms241914629

Wang Y, Chen L, Wang L, et al. Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields Combined With Adipose-Derived Stem Cells Protect Ischemic Myocardium by Regulating miR-20a-5p/E2F1/p73 Signaling. Stem Cells. 2023;41(7):724-737. doi:10.1093/stmcls/sxad037

RESULTS: "Our study underscored the effectiveness of the combination of PEMFs and ADSCs and identified miR-20a-5p as a promising therapeutic target for the treatment of MI in the future."

Please note that this is just the first handful of studies from a PubMed search of "Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy" in 2023. Check out PubMed for the rest of the studies!

PEMF STUDIES FROM 2022

Ross C, Overholt T, Xu R, et al. Pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) as an adjunct therapy for pain management in interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome. Int Urogynecol J. 2022;33(3):487-491. doi:10.1007/s00192-021-04862-3

ABSTRACT: "The use of PEMF has been evaluated as a therapeutic strategy for pain management in several clinical scenarios. Randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trials have reported positive efficacy and safety profiles when PEMF was used to treat non-specific low back pain, patellofemoral pain syndrome, chronic post-operative pain, osteoarthritis-related pain, rheumatoid arthritis-related pain, and fibromyalgia-related pain. Based on these positive outcomes in a variety of pain conditions, clinical trials to evaluate whether PEMF can provide a safe, non-invasive therapeutic approach to improve symptoms of chronic pain and fatigue in patients with IC/BPS are warranted."

Markovic L, Wagner B, Crevenna R. Effects of pulsed electromagnetic field therapy on outcomes associated with osteoarthritis : A systematic review of systematic reviews. Wien Klin Wochenschr. 2022;134(11-12):425-433. doi:10.1007/s00508-022-02020-3

ABSTRACT: "The PEMF therapy appears to be effective in the short term to relieve pain and improve function in patients with OA."

Huegel J, Chan PYW, Weiss SN, et al. Pulsed electromagnetic field therapy alters early healing in a rat model of rotator cuff injury and repair: Potential mechanisms. J Orthop Res. 2022;40(7):1593-1603. doi:10.1002/jor.25185

ABSTRACT: "PEMF also downregulated genes related to a fibrotic healing response. Anti-inflammatory effects were demonstrated by both gene expression and macrophage phenotype. PEMF significantly increased the rate of kinetic bone formation directly adjacent to the tendon enthesis as well as the number of cuboidal surface osteoblasts (active osteoblasts) in the humeral head. This study has provided insight into how PEMF affects cellular and molecular processes in the supraspinatus tendon and adjacent bone after injury and repair."

Giovale M, Novelli L, Persico L, et al. Low-energy Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy Reduces Pain in Fibromyalgia: A Randomized Single-blind Controlled Pilot Study. Rheumatol Immunol Res. 2022;3(2):77-83. Published 2022 Jul 6. doi:10.2478/rir-2022-0013

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

Sakhrani N, Stefani RM, Setti S, Cadossi R, Ateshian GA, Hung CT. Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy and Direct Current Electric Field Modulation Promote the Migration of Fibroblast-like Synoviocytes to Accelerate Cartilage Repair In Vitro. Appl Sci (Basel). 2022;12(23):12406. doi:10.3390/app122312406

ABSTRACT: "Together, PEMF and galvanotaxis DC EF modulation are electrotherapeutic strategies with complementary repair properties. Both procedures may enable direct migration or selective homing of target cells to defect sites, thus augmenting natural repair processes for improving cartilage repair and healing."

Choi MS, Park BC. The efficacy and safety of the combination of photobiomodulation therapy and pulsed electromagnetic field therapy on androgenetic alopecia. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2023;22(3):831-836. doi:10.1111/jocd.15490

CONSLUSION: "A combination of PBMT and PEMF is a valid and safe treatment option for AGA."

Zheng Y, Mei L, Li S, et al. Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Alleviates Intervertebral Disc Degeneration by Activating Sirt1-Autophagy Signaling Network. Front Bioeng Biotechnol. 2022;10:853872. Published 2022 Mar 21. doi:10.3389/fbioe.2022.853872

ABSTRACT: "In summary, our study uncovers a critical role of SIRT1-dependent autophagy signaling pathway in ECM protection and thus in the establishment of therapeutic effect of PEMF on intervertebral disc degeneration."

Lee CG, Park C, Hwang S, et al. Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) Treatment Reduces Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Septic Shock in Mice. Int J Mol Sci. 2022;23(10):5661. Published 2022 May 18. doi:10.3390/ijms23105661

ABSTRACT: "These results suggest that PEMF treatment can dramatically decrease septic shock through the reduction of pro-inflammatory cytokine gene expression. In a clinical setting, PEMF may provide a beneficial effect for patients with bacteria-induced sepsis and reduce septic shock-induced mortality."

Khan M, Faisal M, Ahmad L. Biophysical therapy using the pulsating electromagnetic field as adjunctive therapy for implant osseointegration - A review. Natl J Maxillofac Surg. 2022;13(Suppl 1):S11-S18. doi:10.4103/njms.njms_400_21

ABSTRACT: "Pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) is a noninvasive, therapeutic form of low field magnetic stimulation that has been used for healing bone non unions and various fractures. It acts on osteoblasts and bone, affecting their metabolism, therefore, increasing the tissue integration of the implanted devices and their clinical success."

Liu J, Huang X, Zhou J, et al. Pulsed electromagnetic field alleviates synovitis and inhibits the NLRP3/Caspase-1/GSDMD signaling pathway in osteoarthritis rats. Electromagn Biol Med. 2022;41(1):101-107. doi:10.1080/15368378.2021.2021933

ABSTRACT: "These results suggested that PEMF could be a highly promising noninvasive strategy to slow down the progression of OA and inhibition of the NLRP3/Caspase-1/GSDMD signaling pathway might be involved in the beneficial effect of PEMF."

Bhad Patil WA, Karemore AA. Efficacy of pulsed electromagnetic field in reducing treatment time: A clinical investigation. Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop. 2022;161(5):652-658. doi:10.1016/j.ajodo.2020.12.025

RESULTS: "An average increase of 31% in the rate of tooth movement was observed with the PEMF. PEMF is a good option to reduce orthodontic treatment duration."

Ong MT, Man GC, Lau LC, et al. Effect of pulsed electromagnetic field as an intervention for patients with quadriceps weakness after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: a double-blinded, randomized-controlled trial. Trials. 2022;23(1):771. Published 2022 Sep 12. doi:10.1186/s13063-022-06674-2

Yang Y, Wang P, Liu A, et al. Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Protects Against Brain Injury After Intracerebral Hemorrhage: Involvement of Anti-Inflammatory Processes and Hematoma Clearance via CD36. J Mol Neurosci. 2022;72(10):2150-2161. doi:10.1007/s12031-022-02063-1

RESULTS: "These results suggest that PEMF treatment promoted the hematoma clearance and alleviated the inflammation after intracranial hemorrhage."

Li Y, Li L, Li Y, et al. Enhancing cartilage repair with optimized supramolecular hydrogel-based scaffold and pulsed electromagnetic field. Bioact Mater. 2022;22:312-324. Published 2022 Oct 12. doi:10.1016/j.bioactmat.2022.10.010

RESULTS: "PEMF treatment was shown to enhance the quality of engineered chondrogenic constructs in vitro, and facilitate chondrogenesis and cartilage repair in vivo. All of the results suggested that with the injectable self-healing adhesive hydrogel and PEMF treatment, this newly proposed tissue engineering strategy revealed superior clinical potential for cartilage defect treatment."

Eid MM, Hamed NS, Abdelbasset WK, Elkholi SM, Eladl HM, Bahey El-Deen HA. A comparative study between transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation and pulsed electromagnetic field therapy in the management of post-herpetic neuralgia of the sciatic nerve. Medicine (Baltimore). 2022;101(44):e31433. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000031433

... please note that this is just the first 20 of over 80 PEMF papers from a 2022 PubMed search of "Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy." Click this link to access the whole listing of 2022 papers on PubMed.

PEMF RESEARCH STUDIES FROM 2021

Bademoğlu G, Erdal N, Uzun C, Taşdelen B. The effects of pulsed electromagnetic field on experimentally induced sciatic nerve injury in rats. Electromagn Biol Med. 2021; 40(3):408-419. doi:10.1080/15368378.2021.1907403

ABSTRACT: “Some experimental research indicates that low-frequency pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) stimulation may accelerate regeneration in sciatic nerve injury. However, little research has examined the electrophysiological and functional properties of regenerating peripheral nerves under PEMF. The main aim of the present study is to investigate the effects of PEMF on sciatic nerve regeneration in short- and long-term processes with electrophysiologically and functionally after crushing damage. Crush lesions were performed using jewelery forceps for 30 s. After crush injury of the sciatic nerves, 24 female Wistar-Albino rats were divided into 3 groups with 8 rats in each group: SH(Sham), SNI (Sciatic Nerve Injury), SNI PEMF(Sciatic Nerve Injury Pulsed Electromagnetic Field). SNI+PEMF group was exposed to PEMF (4 h/day, intensity; 0.3mT, low-frequency; 2 Hz) for 40-days. Electrophysiological records (at the beginning and 1st, 2nd, 4th and 6th weeks post-crush) and functional footprints (at 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th weeks post crush) were measured from all groups during the experiment. The results were compared to SNI and SNI+PEMF groups, it was found that amplitude and area parameters in the first-week were significantly higher and latency was lower in the SNI+PEMF group than in the SNI group (p < 0,05). However, the effect of PEMF was not significant in the 2nd, 4th, 6th weeks. In addition, in the 1st and 2nd weeks, the SSI parameters were significantly higher in SNI+PMF group than SNI group (p < .05). These results indicate that low-frequency PEMF is not effective for long-periods of application time while PEMF may be useful during the short-term recovery period.”

Celik C, Franco-Obregón A, Lee EH, Hui JH, Yang Z. Directionalities of magnetic fields and topographic scaffolds synergise to enhance MSC chondrogenesis. Acta Biomater. 2021;119:169-183. doi:10.1016/j.actbio.2020.10.039

ABSTRACT: “We have previously shown that brief, low-amplitude pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMFs) differentially enhance mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) chondrogenesis in scaffold-free pellet cultures versus conventional tissue culture plastic (TCP), indicating an interplay between magnetism and micromechanical environment. Here, we examined the influence of PEMF directionality over the chondrogenic differentiation of MSCs laden on electrospun fibrous scaffolds of either random (RND) or aligned (ALN) orientations. Correlating MSCs' chondrogenic outcome to pFAK activation and YAP localisation, MSCs on the RND scaffolds experienced the least amount of resting mechanical stress and underwent greatest chondrogenic differentiation in response to brief PEMF exposure (10 min at 1 mT) perpendicular to the dominant plane of the scaffolds (Z-directed). By contrast, in MSC-impregnated RND scaffolds, greatest mitochondrial respiration resulted from X-directed PEMF exposure (parallel to the scaffold plane), and was associated with curtailed chondrogenesis. MSCs on TCP or the ALN scaffolds exhibited greater resting mechanical stress and accordingly, were unresponsive, or negatively responsive, to PEMF exposure from all directions. The efficacy of PEMF-induced MSC chondrogenesis is hence regulated in a multifaceted manner involving focal adhesion dynamics, as well as mitochondrial responses, culminating in a final cellular response. The combined contributions of micromechanical environment and magnetic field orientation hence will need to be considered when designing magnetic exposure paradigms.”

Chan AK, Ballatori A, Nyayapati P, et al. Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields Accelerate Sensorimotor Recovery Following Experimental Disc Herniation. Spine. 2021; 46(4): E222-E233. doi:10.1097/BRS.0000000000003762

ABSTRACT: “These data demonstrate that PEMF accelerates sensorimotor recovery in a rodent model of disc herniation, suggesting that PEMF may be reasonable to evaluate for the clinical management of patients with herniation-associated radiculopathy.”

Li W, Huang C, Ma T, et al. Low-frequency electromagnetic fields combined with tissue engineering techniques accelerate intervertebral fusion. Stem Cell Res Ther. 2021;12(1):143. Published 2021 Feb 17. doi:10.1186/s13287-021-02207-x

ABSTRACT: “ EMF accelerated intervertebral fusion by improving the osteogenic capacity of BMSCs seeded on scaffolds and might boost the paracrine function of BMSCs to promote osteogenic differentiation of the homing BMSCs at the injured site. EMF combined with tissue engineering techniques may become a new clinical treatment for LDD.”

Mansourian M, Shanei A. Evaluation of Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Effects: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis on Highlights of Two Decades of Research In Vitro Studies. BioMed Research International. July 2021:1-22. doi:10.1155/2021/6647497

ABSTRACT: “According to the obtained data, most of the experiments were carried out on human cells, and out of 2,421 human cell experiments, cell changes were observed in 51.05% of the data. In addition, the results pointed out the potential effects of PEMFs on some human cell types such as MG-63 human osteosarcoma cells (p value < 0.001) and bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells. However, human osteogenic sarcoma SaOS-2 (p < 0:001) and human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (AD-MSCs) showed less sensitivity to PEMFs. Nevertheless, the evidence suggests that frequencies higher than 100 Hz, flux densities between 1 and 10 mT, and chronic exposure more than 10 days would be more effective in establishing a cellular response. This study successfully reported useful information about the role of cell type and signal characteristic parameters, which were of high importance for targeted therapies using PEMFs. Our findings would provide a deeper understanding about the effect of PEMFs in vitro, which could be useful as a reference for many in vivo experiments or preclinical trials.”

"PEMF plays a role in enhancing angiogenesis, and its clinical application may go far beyond the current scope."

Peng L, Fu C, Wang L, Zhang, Q, Liang Z, He C and Wei Q. The Effect of Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields on Angiogenesis. Bioelectromagnetics. 2021; 42: 250-258. https://doi.org/10.1002/bem.22330

ABSTRACT: “A pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) has been used to treat inflammation-based diseases such as osteoporosis, neurological injury, and osteoarthritis. Numerous animal experiments and in vitro studies have shown that PEMF may affect angiogenesis. For ischemic diseases, in theory, blood flow may be richer by increasing the number of blood vessels which supply blood to ischemic tissue. PEMF plays a role in enhancing angiogenesis, and their clinical application may go far beyond the current scope. In this review, we analyzed and summarized the effects and possible mechanisms of PEMF on angiogenesis. Most studies have shown that PEMF with specific parameters can promote angiogenesis, which is manifested by an increased vascular growth rate and increased capillary density. The potential mechanisms consist of promoting vascular endothelial cell proliferation, migration, and tube formation, and increasing the expression level of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2), angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2), and other angiogenic growth factors. Additionally, PEMF has an impact on the activation of voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCC).”

Tabakan I, Yuvacı AU, Taştekin B, Öcal I, Pelit A. The healing effect of pulsed magnetic field on burn wounds. Burns. 2021; S0305-4179(21)00154-6. doi:10.1016/j.burns.2021.06.001

ABSTRACT: “In this study, the effect of PEMF on cutaneous wound healing in an animal burn model was evaluated and the dose and duration of the magnetic field should be discussed for this effect to occur. Animals were divided into five groups including eight each (n = 40) (Groups 1, 2, 3, 4, 5).Group 1 was the control group; received no treatment after second-degree burn wound. Group 2 received daily wound care with saline. Group 3 received daily wound care with pomade containing mupirocin. Group 4 received Pulsed Electromagnetic Field signal for 60 min (1.5 m T and 40 Hz for seven days) and Group 5 also received PEMF signal for 60 min the same frequency and intensity for 14 days. Microscopically, second-degree burn wounds were successfully detected in all rats. Histopathological examination results in no significant difference between groups in neutrophil infiltration. The difference between the groups in vascularization was statistically significant between Group II and Group V (p < 0.001) and between Group I and Group V (p = 0.005) Epithelialization was present in 75% of the rats in Group V, while no epithelialization was observed in any of the other groups. In conclusion, we observed a significant improvement in the stasis zone of the group receiving Pulsed Electromagnetic Field for two weeks.”

Varani K, Vincenzi F, Pasquini S, et al. Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Stimulation in Osteogenesis and Chondrogenesis: Signaling Pathways and Therapeutic Implications. Int J Mol Sci. 2021; 22(2):809. doi:10.3390/ijms22020809

ABSTRACT: “Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are the main cell players in tissue repair and thanks to their self-renewal and multi-lineage differentiation capabilities, they gained significant attention as cell source for tissue engineering (TE) approaches aimed at restoring bone and cartilage defects. Despite significant progress, their therapeutic application remains debated: the TE construct often fails to completely restore the biomechanical properties of the native tissue, leading to poor clinical outcomes in the long term. Pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMFs) are currently used as a safe and non-invasive treatment to enhance bone healing and to provide joint protection. PEMFs enhance both osteogenic and chondrogenic differentiation of MSCs. Here, we provide extensive review of the signaling pathways modulated by PEMFs during MSCs osteogenic and chondrogenic differentiation. Particular attention has been given to the PEMF-mediated activation of the adenosine signaling and their regulation of the inflammatory response as key player in TE approaches. Overall, the application of PEMFs in tissue repair is foreseen: (1) in vitro: to improve the functional and mechanical properties of the engineered construct; (2) in vivo: (i) to favor graft integration, (ii) to control the local inflammatory response, and (iii) to foster tissue repair from both implanted and resident MSCs cells.”

Please note there are more studies than this -- see PubMed and search "Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy" in 2021.

PEMF RESEARCH FROM 2020

Alzayed KA, Alsaadi SM. Efficacy of Pulsed Low-Frequency Magnetic Field Therapy on Patients with Chronic Low Back Pain: A Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial. Asian Spine J. 2020; 14(1):33-42. doi:10.31616/asj.2019.0043

RESULTS: “The treatment group experienced a more rapid improvement in both pain and disability compared with the placebo group. The analysis showed a significant improvement in the pain intensity and disability scores in the treatment group at week 3 (p < 0.05), whereas an improvement in the placebo group was detected at week 6. The significant improvement in both groups was sustained for weeks 6, 9, and 13. There was no difference between the groups in scores of pain intensity and disability at weeks 6 and 13.”

"Low-frequency magnetic therapy in complex rehabilitation contributes to the regression of respiratory disorders."

Bodrova RA, Kuchumova TV, Zakamyrdina AD, et al. Efficacy of Low-Frequency Magnetic Therapy in Patients with COVID-19 Pneumonia. Vopr Kurortol Fizioter Lech Fiz Kult. 2020; 97(6):11-16. doi:10.17116/kurort20209706111

ABSTRACT: “The inclusion of low-frequency magnetic therapy in complex rehabilitation contributes to the regression of respiratory disorders, reduces the level of anxiety and depression, reduces pain and discomfort, thereby improving the patient's quality of life.”

Khami A, Roostayi MM, Parhampour B, Heidari Z, Baharlouei H, Hoorfar H. Effect of Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields on Clinical Signs and Quality of Life in Patients with Hemophilic Arthropathy of the Knee Joint: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Adv Biomed Res. 2020; 9:81. doi:10.4103/abr.abr_244_18

ABSTRACT: “In the PEMF group, a significant difference before and after intervention in terms of clinical signs, QoL, and pain intensity (P < 0.05) was founded. Between-group analysis showed a significant improvement in clinical signs (except for atrophy, strength, and swelling duration), QoL, and pain intensity in the PEMF versus control group (P < 0.05). PEMF can improve the clinical signs, QoL, and pain intensity of severe hemophilia patients with moderate knee hemophilic arthropathy.”

Cadossi R; Massari L, Racine-Avila J, Aaron RK. Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Stimulation of Bone Healing and Joint Preservation: Cellular Mechanisms of Skeletal Response. JAAOS Global Research & Reviews. 2020; 4(5): e19.00155. doi:10.5435/JAAOSGlobal-D-19-00155.

ABSTRACT: "The US FDA has approved pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMFs) as a safe and effective treatment for nonunions of bone. Despite its clinical use, the mechanisms of action of electromagnetic stimulation of the skeleton have been elusive. Recently, cell membrane receptors have been identified as the site of action of PEMF and provide a mechanistic rationale for clinical use. This review highlights key processes in cell responses to PEMF as follows: (1) signal transduction through A2A and A3 adenosine cell membrane receptors and (2) dose-response effects on the synthesis of structural and signaling extracellular matrix (ECM) components. Through these actions, PEMF can increase the structural integrity of bone and cartilage ECM, enhancing repair, and alter the homeostatic balance of signaling cytokines, producing anti-inflammatory effects. PEMFs exert a pro-anabolic effect on the bone and cartilage matrix and a chondroprotective effect counteracting the catabolic effects of inflammation in the joint environment. Understanding of PEMF membrane targets, and of the specific intracellular pathways involved, culminating in the synthesis of ECM proteins and reduction in inflammatory cytokines, should enhance confidence in the clinical use of PEMF and the identification of clinical conditions likely to be affected by PEMF exposure."

Kim CH, Wheatley-Guy CM, Stewart GM, Yeo D, Shen WK, Johnson BD. The impact of pulsed electromagnetic field therapy on blood pressure and circulating nitric oxide levels: a double blind, randomized study in subjects with metabolic syndrome. Blood Press. 2020; 29(1):47-54. doi:10.1080/08037051.2019.1649591

CONCLUSION: “PEMF may increase plasma nitric oxide availability and improve blood pressure at rest and during exercise. This beneficial effect appears to be more pronounced in subjects with existing hypertension.”

Larsen ER, Licht RW, Nielsen RE, et al. Transcranial pulsed electromagnetic fields for treatment-resistant depression: A multicenter 8-week single-arm cohort study. Eur Psychiatry. 2020; 63(1): e18. doi:10.1192/j.eurpsy.2020.3

CONCLUSION: “The findings indicate a potential beneficial role of T-PEMF therapy as an augmentation treatment to ongoing pharmacotherapy in treatment-resistant depression.”

Merighi S, Gessi S, Bencivenni S, et al. Signaling pathways involved in anti-inflammatory effects of Pulsed Electromagnetic Field in microglial cells. Cytokine. 2020; 125:154777. doi:10.1016/j.cyto.2019.154777

ABSTRACT: “PEMFs reduced the LPS-increased production of TNF-α and IL-1β in N9 cells, through a pathway involving JNK1/2. Furthermore, they decreased the LPS-induced release of IL-6, by a mechanism not dependent on AC, PLC, PKC-ε, PKC-δ, p38, ERK1/2, JNK1/2, Akt and caspase 1. Importantly, a significant effect of PEMFs in the reduction of crucial cell functions specific of microglia like ROS generation, cell invasion and phagocytosis was found. PEMFs inhibit neuroinflammation in N9 cells through a mechanism involving, at least in part, the activation of JNK MAPK signaling pathway and may be relevant to treat a variety of diseases characterized by neuroinflammation.”

"PEMFs inhibit neuroinflammation in N9 cells ... and may be relevant to treat a variety of diseases characterized by neuroinflammation."

Miller, CP, Prener, M, Dissing, S, Paulson, OB. Transcranial low-frequency pulsating electromagnetic fields (T-PEMF) as post-concussion syndrome treatment. Acta Neurol Scand. 2020; 142: 597– 604. https://doi.org/10.1111/ane.13300

RESULTS: “Compliance was high as all subject completed the full treatment. Two patients however experienced a worsening of their concussion symptoms during the course of treatment. The remaining patients had some discomfort in relation to treatment, mainly headache, but passing and less for each treatment. The majority (n = 5) had a reduction in symptoms overall, up to 61% (2%-61%) based on the Rivermead Post-Concussion Symptoms Questionnaire. Further studies on T-PEMF as a treatment option for post-concussion syndrome are warranted.”

Nayak BP, Dolkart O, Satwalekar P, et al. Effect of the Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) on Dental Implants Stability: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial. Materials (Basel). 2020; 13(7):1667. Published 2020 Apr 3. doi:10.3390/ma13071667

ABSTRACT: “A pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) has been shown to contribute to heightening bone regeneration in a range of clinical areas, including dentistry. Due to the scarcity of studies using PEMF in oral implantology, the present experiment scrutinized the effect of PEMF can lead to improving the stability of the implant. A total of 19 subjects (40 implants in total) were selected to participate in the current study and were randomly allocated to either the PEMF group or control group. Subjects in the PEMF group received an activated miniaturized electromagnetic device (MED) while the control group received a sham healing cup. Implants stability was assessed by resonance frequency analyses (RFA) via implant stability quotient (ISQ) calculations. RFA were recorded as following: immediately after procedure, and then 2, 4, 6, 8 and 12 weeks later. Radiographic analysis was performed at baseline, 6 and 12 weeks after implant placement. Proinflammatory cytokines were evaluated in peri-implant crevicular fluid (PICF). The PEMF group presented higher ISQ mean values when compared to the control group. The primary stability time frame (the first 2 weeks) MED group depicted an increase in stability of 6.8%, compared to a decrease of 7.6% in the control group related to the baseline. An overall stability increase of 13% was found in MED treated group (p = 0.02), in contrast, the overall stability in the control group decreased by 2% (p = 0.008). TNF-α concentration during first 4 weeks was lower in the MED treated group. The data strongly suggests that MED generated continuing a PEMF may be considered as a new way to stimulate the stability of the implants at the early healing period.”

"Pulsed electromagnetic field has been shown to contribute to heightening bone regeneration in a range of clinical areas, including dentistry."

Parate D, Kadir ND, Celik C, et al. Pulsed electromagnetic fields potentiate the paracrine function of mesenchymal stem cells for cartilage regeneration. Stem Cell Res Ther. 2020; 11(1):46. Published 2020 Feb 3. doi:10.1186/s13287-020-1566-5

ABSTRACT: “The findings reported here demonstrate that PEMF stimulation is capable of modulating the paracrine function of MSCs for the enhancement and re-establishment of cartilage regeneration in states of cellular stress. The PEMF-induced modulation of the MSC-derived paracrine function for directed biological responses in recipient cells or tissues has broad clinical and practical ramifications with high translational value across numerous clinical applications.”

Qiu XS, Li XG, Chen YX. Pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF): A potential adjuvant treatment for infected nonunion. Med Hypotheses. 2020;136:109506. doi:10.1016/j.mehy.2019.109506

ABSTRACT: “Infected nonunion is still a challenge for orthopaedic surgeons. The goal of treatment is to eliminate infection and achieve bone union. Surgery is the only effective method currently. However, it is invasive and the results are still unsatisfactory. Therefore, seeking a noninvasive and effective method to resolve infected nonunion is necessary. Pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) has been used for the treatment of nonunion for more than 40 years. PEMF could promote bone formation at tissue, cell and subcellular levels. Furthermore, our study showed that PEMF had bactericidal effect. The hypothesis we proposed herein is that PEMF may be an adjuvant treatment for infected nonunion by controlling infection and inducing bone formation.”

Ross C, Overholt T, Xu R, et al. Pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) as an adjunct therapy for pain management in interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome [published online ahead of print, 2021 Jun 8]. Int Urogynecol J. 2021; 10.1007/s00192-021-04862-3. doi:10.1007/s00192-021-04862-3

ABSTRACT: “The use of PEMF has been evaluated as a therapeutic strategy for pain management in several clinical scenarios. Randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trials have reported positive efficacy and safety profiles when PEMF was used to treat non-specific low back pain, patellofemoral pain syndrome, chronic post-operative pain, osteoarthritis-related pain, rheumatoid arthritis-related pain, and fibromyalgia-related pain. Based on these positive outcomes in a variety of pain conditions, clinical trials to evaluate whether PEMF can provide a safe, non-invasive therapeutic approach to improve symptoms of chronic pain and fatigue in patients with IC/BPS are warranted.”

Tai YK, Ng C, Purnamawati K et al. Magnetic fields modulate metabolism and gut microbiome in correlation with Pgc-1α expression: Follow-up to an in vitro magnetic mitohormetic study. The FASEB Journal. 2020; 34: 11143– 11167. https://doi.org/10.1096/fj.201903005RR

ABSTRACT: "The combination of PEMFs and exercise for 6 weeks enhanced running performance and upregulated muscular and adipose Pgc-1α transcript levels, whereas exercise alone was incapable of elevating Pgc-1α levels. The gut microbiome Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio decreased with exercise and PEMF exposure, alone or in combination, which has been associated in published studies with an increase in lean body mass. After 2 months, brief PEMF treatment alone increased Pgc-1α and mitohormetic gene expression and after >4 months PEMF treatment alone enhanced oxidative muscle expression, fatty acid oxidation, and reduced insulin levels. Hence, short-term PEMF treatment was sufficient to instigate PGC-1α-associated transcriptional cascades governing systemic mitohormetic adaptations, whereas longer-term PEMF treatment was capable of inducing related metabolic adaptations independently of exercise."

Tenuta, M, Tarsitano, MG, Mazzotta, P, et al. Therapeutic use of pulsed electromagnetic field therapy reduces prostate volume and lower urinary tract symptoms in benign prostatic hyperplasia. Andrology. 2020; 8: 1076–1085. https://doi.org/10.1111/andr.12775

RESULTS: “PEMF was able to reduce PV after 28 days of therapy. Symptoms improved in a short time, with high compliance and no effects on hormonal and sexual function or any side effects. Patients with moderate-severe LUTS and without MetS seem to benefit more from this treatment.”

"PEMF therapy has clinically significant effects on pain in patients with osteoarthritis."

Yang X, He H, Ye W, Perry TA, He C. 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. Phys Ther. 2020;100(7):1118-1131. doi:10.1093/ptj/pzaa054

IMPACT: "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."

See more from 2020 on PubMed.

PEMF RELATED STUDIES PUBLISHED IN 2019

Alvarez LX, McCue J, Lam NK, Askin G, Fox PR. Effect of Targeted Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy on Canine Postoperative Hemilaminectomy: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc. 2019; 55(2):83-91. doi:10.5326/JAAHA-MS-6798

ABSTRACT: “The present prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial evaluated targeted PEMF therapy administered to 53 client-owned dogs who underwent hemilaminectomy for naturally occurring disk extrusion intervertebral disc disease … Dogs receiving PEMF therapy following postoperative hemilaminectomy demonstrated improved wound scores at 6 wk and reduced mean number of owner-administered pain medications compared with the control group therapy.”

Cottrill E, Pennington Z, Ahmed AK, et al. The effect of electrical stimulation therapies on spinal fusion: a cross-disciplinary systematic review and meta-analysis of the preclinical and clinical data. J Neurosurg Spine. 2019; 1-21. doi:10.3171/2019.5.SPINE19465

CONCLUSIONS: “The authors found that electrical stimulation devices may produce clinically significant increases in arthrodesis rates among patients undergoing spinal fusion. They also found that the pro-arthrodesis effects seen in preclinical studies are also found in clinical populations, suggesting that findings in animal studies are translatable. Additional research is needed to analyze the cost-effectiveness of these devices.”

Galli C, Pedrazzi G and Guizzardi S. The cellular effects of Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields on osteoblasts: A review. Bioelectromagnetics. 2019; 40: 211-233. https://doi.org/10.1002/bem.22187

ABSTRACT: "Electromagnetic fields (EMFs) have long been known to interact with living organisms and their cells and to bear the potential for therapeutic use. Among the most extensively investigated applications, the use of Pulsed EMFs (PEMFs) has proven effective to ameliorate bone healing in several studies, although the evidence is still inconclusive. This is due in part to our still-poor understanding of the mechanisms by which PEMFs act on cells and affect their functions and to an ongoing lack of consensus on the most effective parameters for specific clinical applications. The present review has compared in vitro studies on PEMFs on different osteoblast models, which elucidate potential mechanisms of action for PEMFs, up to the most recent insights into the role of primary cilia, and highlight the critical issues underlying at least some of the inconsistent results in the available literature."

"A significant improvement was found in the neck pain, disability, depression, anxiety, and quality of life scores of both [physical therapy and PEMF] groups after treatment when compared to those before treatment."

Hattapoğlu E, Batmaz İ, Dilek B, Karakoç M, Em S, Çevik R. Efficiency of pulsed electromagnetic fields on pain, disability, anxiety, depression, and quality of life in patients with cervical disc herniation: a randomized controlled study. Turk J Med Sci. 2019; 49(4):1095-1101. doi:10.3906/sag-1901-65

RESULTS: "A significant improvement was found in the neck pain, disability, depression, anxiety, and quality of life scores of both groups after treatment when compared to those before treatment. However, in the comparison between changes within groups, significant improvements were determined only in the VAS and Nottingham Health Profile sleep subparameter in the 12th week after treatment compared to those before treatment. PEMF therapy in cervical disc herniation can be used safely in routine treatment in addition to conventional physical therapy modalities."

Ehnert, Sabrina; Schröter, Steffen; Aspera-Werz, Romina H.; Eisler, Wiebke; Falldorf, Karsten; Ronniger, Michael; Nussler, Andreas K. Translational Insights into Extremely Low Frequency Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields (ELF-PEMFs) for Bone Regeneration after Trauma and Orthopedic Surgery. Journal of Clinical Medicine. 2019; 8(12): 2028. doi:10.3390/jcm8122028.

ABSTRACT: "The finding that alterations in electrical potential play an important role in the mechanical stimulation of the bone provoked hype that noninvasive extremely low frequency pulsed electromagnetic fields (ELF-PEMF) can be used to support healing of bone and osteochondral defects. This resulted in the development of many ELF-PEMF devices for clinical use. Due to the resulting diversity of the ELF-PEMF characteristics regarding treatment regimen, and reported results, exposure to ELF-PEMFs is generally not among the guidelines to treat bone and osteochondral defects. Notwithstanding, here we show that there is strong evidence for ELF-PEMF treatment. We give a short, confined overview of in vitro studies investigating effects of ELF-PEMF treatment on bone cells, highlighting likely mechanisms. Subsequently, we summarize prospective and blinded studies, investigating the effect of ELF-PEMF treatment on acute bone fractures and bone fracture non-unions, osteotomies, spinal fusion, osteoporosis, and osteoarthritis. Although these studies favor the use of ELF-PEMF treatment, they likewise demonstrate the need for more defined and better controlled/monitored treatment modalities. However, to establish indication-oriented treatment regimen, profound knowledge of the underlying mechanisms in the sense of cellular pathways/events triggered is required, highlighting the need for more systematic studies to unravel optimal treatment conditions."

"Our findings suggest a potential role for the pulsed EMF for the amelioration of cognition impairment."

Li Y, Zhang Y, Wang W, et al. Effects of pulsed electromagnetic fields on learning and memory abilities of STZ-induced dementia rats. Electromagn Biol Med. 2019; 38(2):123-130. doi:10.1080/15368378.2019.1591437

ABSTRACT: “Our findings indicate that the pulsed EMF exposure can improve the ability of learning and memory in STZ-induced dementia rats and this effect may be related to the process of IGF signal transduction, suggesting a potential role for the pulsed EMF for the amelioration of cognition impairment.”

Malling ASB, Morberg BM, Wermuth L, Gredal O, Bech P, Jensen BR. The effect of 8 weeks of treatment with transcranial pulsed electromagnetic fields on hand tremor and inter-hand coherence in persons with Parkinson's disease. J Neuroeng Rehabil. 2019; 16(1):19. Published 2019 Jan 31. doi:10.1186/s12984-019-0491-2

ABSTRACT: “The T-PEMF treatment decreased the inter-hand coherence in the PD group with unilateral postural tremor. The PD group with unilateral postural tremor was less clinically affected by the disease than the PD group with bilateral postural tremor. However, no differences between T-PEMF and placebo treatment on either intensity related or coherence related measures were found when all persons with PD were included in the analyses. The peak power decreased and the tremor intensity tended to decrease in both treatment groups.”

Miyamoto H, Sawaji Y, Iwaki T, Masaoka T, Fukada E, Date M and Yamamoto K. Intermittent pulsed electromagnetic field stimulation activates the mTOR pathway and stimulates the proliferation of osteoblast-like cells. Bioelectromagnetics. 2019; 40: 412-421. https://doi.org/10.1002/bem.22207

ABSTRACT: “Continuous PEMF stimulation induced a transient phosphorylation of the mTOR pathway, whereas intermittent PEMF stimulation (1 cycle of 10 min stimulation followed by 20 min of stimulation pause) revitalized the reduced phosphorylation. Moreover, PEMF stimulation stimulated cell proliferation (bromodeoxyuridine incorporation) rather than differentiation (alkaline phosphatase activity), with a more notable effect in the intermittently stimulated cells. These results suggest that intermittent PEMF stimulation may be effective in promoting bone fracture healing by accelerating cell proliferation, and in shortening stimulation time.”

Mohammad Alizadeh MA, Abrari K, Lashkar Blouki T, Ghorbanian MT, Jadidi M. Pulsed electromagnetic field attenuated PTSD-induced failure of conditioned fear extinction. Iran J Basic Med Sci. 2019; 22(6):650-659. doi:10.22038/ijbms.2019.32576.7797

RESULTS: “Using 14-day PEM attenuates the PTSD-induced failure of conditioned fear extinction and exaggerated sensitized fear, and this might be related to the neuroprotective effects of magnetic fields on the hippocampus.”

Ross CL, Ang DC, Almeida-Porada G. Targeting Mesenchymal Stromal Cells/Pericytes (MSCs) With Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) Has the Potential to Treat Rheumatoid Arthritis. Front Immunol. 2019; 10:266. doi:10.3389/fimmu.2019.00266

ABSTRACT: “Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic autoimmune disease characterized by chronic inflammation of synovium (synovitis), with inflammatory/immune cells and resident fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) acting as major players in the pathogenesis of this disease. The resulting inflammatory response poses considerable risks as loss of bone and cartilage progresses, destroying the joint surface, causing joint damage, joint failure, articular dysfunction, and pre-mature death if left untreated. At the cellular level, early changes in RA synovium include inflammatory cell infiltration, synovial hyperplasia, and stimulation of angiogenesis to the site of injury. Different angiogenic factors promote this disease, making the role of anti-angiogenic therapy a focus of RA treatment. To control angiogenesis, mesenchymal stromal cells/pericytes (MSCs) in synovial tissue play a vital role in tissue repair.

While recent evidence reports that MSCs found in joint tissues can differentiate to repair damaged tissue, this repair function can be repressed by the inflammatory milieu. Extremely-low frequency pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF), a biophysical form of stimulation, has an anti-inflammatory effect by causing differentiation of MSCs. PEMF has also been reported to increase the functional activity of MSCs to improve differentiation to chondrocytes and osteocytes. Moreover, PEMF has been demonstrated to accelerate cell differentiation, increase deposition of collagen, and potentially return vascular dysfunction back to homeostasis. The aim of this report is to review the effects of PEMF on MSC modulation of cytokines, growth factors, and angiogenesis, and describe its effect on MSC regeneration of synovial tissue to further understand its potential role in the treatment of RA.”

Ross CL, Zhou Y, McCall CE, Soker S, Criswell TL. The Use of Pulsed Electromagnetic Field to Modulate Inflammation and Improve Tissue Regeneration: A Review. Bioelectricity. 2019; 1(4):247-259. doi:10.1089/bioe.2019.0026

ABSTRACT: “Pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) is emerging as innovative treatment for regulation of inflammation, which could have significant effects on tissue regeneration. PEMF modulates inflammatory processes through the regulation of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine secretion during different stages of inflammatory response. Consistent outcomes in studies involving animal and human tissue have shown promise for the use of PEMF as an alternative or complementary treatment to pharmaceutical therapies. Thus, PEMF treatment could provide a novel nonpharmaceutical means of modulating inflammation in injured tissues resulting in enhanced functional recovery. This review examines the effect of PEMF on immunomodulatory cells (e.g., mesenchymal stem/stromal cells [MSCs] and macrophages [MΦ]) to better understand the potential for PEMF therapy to modulate inflammatory signaling pathways and improve tissue regeneration. This review cites published data that support the use of PEMF to improve tissue regeneration. Our studies included herein confirm anti-inflammatory effects of PEMF on MSCs and MΦ.”

"These results further establish PEMFs anti-inflammatory activity, and may inform potential future clinical uses for management of inflammation associated with disc degeneration."

Tang X, Coughlin D, Ballatori A, et al. Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields Reduce Interleukin-6 Expression in Intervertebral Disc Cells Via Nuclear Factor-κβ and Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase p38 Pathways. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2019; 44(22):E1290-E1297. doi:10.1097/BRS.0000000000003136

CONCLUSION: “Our data indicate that the previously-reported inhibitory effect of PEMF treatment on disc inflammation is mediated by NF-κβ and phosphorylated p38-MAPK signaling pathways. These results further establish PEMFs anti-inflammatory activity, and may inform potential future clinical uses for management of inflammation associated with disc degeneration.”

Note: see more from 2019 at PubMed, search for Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy.

PEMF RESEARCH PUBLISHED IN 2018

Gaynor JS, Hagberg S, Gurfein BT. Veterinary applications of pulsed electromagnetic field therapy. Res Vet Sci. 2018; 119:1-8. doi:10.1016/j.rvsc.2018.05.005

ABSTRACT: “Pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) therapy can non-invasively treat a variety of pathologies by delivering electric and magnetic fields to tissues via inductive coils. The electromagnetic fields generated by these devices have been found to affect a variety of biological processes and basic science understanding of the underlying mechanisms of action of PEMF treatment has accelerated in the last 10 years. Accumulating clinical evidence supports the use of PEMF therapy in both animals and humans for specific clinical indications including bone healing, wound healing, osteoarthritis and inflammation, and treatment of post-operative pain and edema. While there is some confusion about PEMF as a clinical treatment modality, it is increasingly being prescribed by veterinarians. In an effort to unravel the confusion surrounding PEMF devices, this article reviews important PEMF history, device taxonomy, mechanisms of action, basic science and clinical evidence, and relevant trends in veterinary medicine. The data reviewed underscore the usefulness of PEMF treatment as a safe, non-invasive treatment modality that has the potential to become an important stand-alone or adjunctive treatment modality in veterinary care.” [Jessie's note: I am including animal studies both because they are often models for humans and also because I also offer customized PEMF therapy for your four-legged beloveds through Resonant Pet]

Sorrell RG, Muhlenfeld J, Moffett J, Stevens G, Kesten S. Evaluation of pulsed electromagnetic field therapy for the treatment of chronic postoperative pain following lumbar surgery: a pilot, double-blind, randomized, sham-controlled clinical trial. J Pain Res. 2018; 11:1209-1222. Published 2018 Jun 22. doi:10.2147/JPR.S164303

RESULTS: “PEMF therapy (42-μs pulse width) was associated with trends for a reduction in pain, compared to sham treatment. Secondary endpoints were consistent with an overall beneficial effect of the PEMF 42-μs pulse width device.”

Huegel J, Choi DS, Nuss CA, et al. Effects of pulsed electromagnetic field therapy at different frequencies and durations on rotator cuff tendon-to-bone healing in a rat model. J Shoulder Elbow Surg. 2018; 27(3):553-560. doi:10.1016/j.jse.2017.09.024

RESULTS: "Overall, our results suggest that PEMF therapy has a positive effect on rat rotator cuff healing for each electromagnetic fundamental pulse frequency and treatment duration tested in this study."

Piyadasa C, Yeager TR, Gray SR, Stewart MB, Ridgway HF, Pelekani C and Orbell JD. Antimicrobial effects of pulsed electromagnetic fields from commercially available water treatment devices – controlled studies under static and flow conditions. J. Chem. Technol. Biotechnol. 2018; 93: 871-877. https://doi.org/10.1002/jctb.5442

ABSTRACT: “The effect of the electromagnetic fields generated by the same two commercial devices on the bacterial culturability of Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas fluorescens under flow conditions has been contrasted with previous static results. It has been found that the effectiveness of PEMF exposure depends on waveform, extent of flow, type of bacteria and PEMF exposure duration.”

"Our data suggest that PEMF may have a role in the clinical management of patients with chronic low back pain."

Tang X, Alliston T, Coughlin D, Miller S, Zhang N, Waldorff EI, Ryaby JT and Lotz JC. Dynamic imaging demonstrates that pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMF) suppress IL-6 transcription in bovine nucleus pulposus cells. J Orthop Res. 2018; 36: 778-787. https://doi.org/10.1002/jor.23713

ABSTRACT: “Imaging and PCR data demonstrated that the inductive effect of IL-1α on IL-6 expression could be significantly inhibited by PEMF treatment in a time-dependent manner (early as 2 h of stimulus initiation). Our data suggest that PEMF may have a role in the clinical management of patients with chronic low back pain. Furthermore, this study shows that the MS2-tagged GFP reporter system is a useful tool for visualizing the dynamic events of mechanobiology in musculoskeletal research.”

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... This is just a start of this collection of articles with some of the more recent data ...

More about Frequency Medicine

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Dr. Jessie integrates Frequency-Specific PEMF into Physical Therapy & Frequency Specific Microcurrent sessions that take into account your unique history and clinical picture. She prescribes home units for pre-and post-op surgical care and loves educating her patients on the many benefits of frequency therapies. Jessie is a Certified FSM Practitioner, provides Mentorship for Practitioners, and is currently accepting new patients.

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