Efficacy of Pulse Electromagnetic Field Therapy (PEMF) in Patients With Nonspecific Chronic Neck Pain

Afyonkarahisar Health Sciences University

Status: Completed

Conditions: Chronic Neck Pain; Cervical Disc Disease; Musculoskeletal Diseases; Neck Pain

Treatments: Other: Sham pulse electromagnetic field therapy; Other: Pulse electromagnetic field therapy; Other: Therapeutic Exercise

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT05581186

NECKPEMF2022

Details and patient eligibility

About

This investigation aims to investigate the effectiveness of Pulse Electromagnetic Field Therapy (PEMF) on neck pain, cervical range of motion, pressure pain threshold and quality of life in patients with nonspecific chronic neck pain compared to cervical therapeutic exercises.

Full description

Neck pain is a common musculoskeletal complaint in society. It is the most common musculoskeletal problem after low back pain. It may regress spontaneously within a few weeks or may become chronic, as in 30% of patients. When it becomes chronic, it can negatively affect the daily life activities of individuals and lead to functional limitations and inadequacies.

Various approaches exist for neck pain in clinical practice. Among them; education of patients on neck pain, ergonomic arrangements, analgesics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxants, exercise, physical therapy agents such as transcutaneous electrical stimulation (TENS), superficial and deep heaters, Pulse Electromagnetic Field Therapy (PEMT) , manipulation, mobilization methods, nerve blockages and surgical intervention.

Magnetotherapy is a treatment method based on magnetic field interaction. As a result of pulsed or alternating electromagnetic fields, an electrical current occurs in the tissues. Pulse magnetotherapy has three physical mechanisms known to be effective in living tissue: Magnetic induction, magneto-mechanical effects, and electronic interactions. Effects of magnetic field application are vasodilation, analgesic effect, anti-inflammatory effect, acceleration of healing, antiedematous effect. Magnetotherapy increases the oxygen release of erythrocytes and provides oxygenation of the tissues. This causes a decrease in toxins in the damaged area, an increase in vital nutrients and endorphins. With this physiological change, magnetic energy decreases the pain receptor sensitivity that sends a message to the brain. With this treatment method, pain reduction is achieved, while joint mobility increases. This investigation was designed prospective sham controlled randomized study. Participants were randomized into 3 groups: PEMT + therapeutic exercise, sham PEMT + therapeutic exercise, and only therapeutic exercise. As evaluation parameters, cervical range of motion, Visual Pain Scale (VAS) Neck, Visual Pain Scale (VAS) Neck, SF (Short form) -36 Quality of Life Scale, pressure pain threshold measurement with an algometer, patient global assessment, and physician global assessment will be evaluated with.It was planned that the evaluations were made and recorded by a blinded physician to the groups at the beginning of the treatment, at the end of the treatment and at the 6th week controls.

Enrollment: 75 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 20 to 55 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

1. Neck pain for at least 3 months in the 20-55 age range
2. Diagnosed with nonspecific chronic neck pain by examination, history and imaging methods

Exclusion criteria

1. Pregnancy
2. Inflammatory rheumatologic diseases
3. Malignity
4. Having a cardiac pacemaker
5. Previous surgery related to the cervical spine
6. Having bleeding diathesis
7. Having a body implant with an electronic or battery system
8. Neck pain due to neurological and vascular diseases
9. Having neurological diseases
10. Having received physical therapy and rehabilitation for the cervical area in the last 6 months
11. Acute infections

Trial design

Primary purpose: Supportive Care

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Quadruple Blind

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75 participants in 3 patient groups

PEMT + exercise

Active Comparator group

Description:

A total of 15 sessions of pulse electromagnetic field therapy using an electromagnetic field device (ASA Pmt Quatro Pro, ASA Srl Via A.Volta 9-36057, Italia),five times a week and once a day for three weeks, were applied to the patients. The patients were then given a daily exercise program once a day by a physiotherapist.

Treatment:

Other: Pulse electromagnetic field therapy

Sham PEMT + exercise

Sham Comparator group

Description:

Sham therapy was applied in five sessions a week for three weeks, with a total of 15 sessions, with no current flowing through the device. This was followed by the exercise programs described above, performed once a day with the physiotherapist.

Treatment:

Other: Sham pulse electromagnetic field therapy

Exercise only

Other group

Description:

Exercise program was applied in five sessions a week for three weeks, with a total of 15 sessions a day with the physiotherapist.

Treatment:

Other: Therapeutic Exercise